Matrices and media for storage and stabilization of biomolecules

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides compositions useful for biomolecule storage comprising a water soluble inorganic compound, a stabilizer, or a combination thereof. The present invention also provides methods of using the compositions of the invention to store biomolecules in the dry state and in solution, as well as sample carriers and kits comprising compositions of the invention.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No.14/596,925, filed Jan. 14, 2015, which is a Continuation application ofU.S. application Ser. No. 13/590,025, filed on Aug. 20, 2012, now U.S.Pat. No. 8,951,719, issued Feb. 10, 2015, which is a Continuation ofU.S. application Ser. No. 12/559,463, filed Sep. 14, 2009, now U.S. Pat.No. 8,283,165, issued Oct. 9, 2012, and which claims priority from U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/096,747, filed on Sep. 12, 2008, thecontents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In many applications, such as pharmaceutical and medical research, lawenforcement, and military identification, it is often desirable to storeand to have access to numerous biological samples. Conventionalbiorepositories or other sample storage facilities utilize liquid or lowtemperature cryogenic systems for sample storage. These liquid andcryogenic systems are expensive both to create and to maintain, andcurrent technology generally presents system operators with complicatedand labor intensive maintenance and administrative responsibilities. Inaddition, these systems do not address work flow concerns that arisewhen large numbers of samples are being processed simultaneously. Undersuch conditions, samples can be left at ambient temperature for longperiods of time, resulting in sample degradation.

Related to the issue of work flow, it is becoming increasingly importantto ship samples that are collected in the field or elsewhere so that thesamples can be analyzed and/or stored at a remote location. However,shipping samples on dry ice is expensive and hazardous and standardmodes of shipping, like those employed by carriers such as FedEx, cansubject samples to large temperature fluctuations, including hightemperatures that can denature or degrade biomolecules present inbiological samples. For example, FedEx cautions that temperatures incarrier vehicles can reach 140° F. (60° C.) in closed, parked carriervehicles during the summer in southern climates. Similarly, forworldwide transportation applications, the U.S. military assumes a worstcase scenario where samples are exposed to temperatures as high as 160°F. (71° C.).

There is a need in the field to develop additional biomolecule storagematerials and systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery that certaincompounds, especially water soluble inorganic compounds and compoundsthat function as singlet oxygen quenchers, are useful for thestabilization and/or storage of biomolecules in the dry state, includingat elevated temperatures. The invention is also based, in part, on thediscovery that certain combinations of compounds stabilize biomolecules,including RNA, in aqueous solution. Accordingly, the present inventionprovides compositions, devices and methods useful for stabilization andstorage of biomolecules.

In one aspect, the invention provides compositions useful forbiomolecule storage and/or stabilization. In certain embodiments, thecomposition is a matrix (e.g., a solid state matrix) comprising a watersoluble inorganic compound, a stabilizer (e.g., a small moleculestabilizer), or a combination thereof. In other embodiments, thecomposition is a medium (e.g., an aqueous medium) comprising a watersoluble inorganic compound, a stabilizer (e.g., a small moleculestabilizer), or a combination thereof. In still other embodiments, thecomposition is a matrix (e.g., a solid state matrix) or a medium (e.g.,an aqueous medium) comprising at least three components selected fromthe list consisting of an inorganic compound, a singlet oxygen quencher,a hydroxyl radical scavenger, a hydroperoxide removing agent, a reducingagent, a metal chelator, a detergent, and a plasticizer. In certainembodiments, the matrix or medium further comprises a plasticizer. Incertain embodiments, the matrix or medium further comprises an RNaseinhibitor. In certain embodiments, the matrix or medium furthercomprises biomolecules (e.g., nucleic acids, such as DNA or RNA). Forexample, the matrix or medium can comprise a sample, such as abiological sample, that contains biomolecules.

In another aspect, the invention provides a sample carrier useful forstoring biomolecules. In certain embodiments, the sample carriercomprises a container and a sample node, wherein the sample node is acomposition disclosed herein (e.g., a matrix or a medium disclosedherein). The container can, for example, support the sample node. Incertain embodiments, the sample carrier comprises a plurality ofcontainers and a plurality of discrete sample nodes. Each of theplurality of sample nodes, for example, can be individually supported bya single container. In certain embodiments, the sample carrier furthercomprises biomolecules. For example, the sample carrier can comprise oneor more samples, such as biological samples, that contain biomolecules.The biomolecules can be, for example, stored in a sample node (e.g.,mixed with a matrix or medium disclosed herein). In certain embodiments,the sample carrier comprises an identifying indicia. In certainembodiments, the container or sample node comprises an identifyingindicia.

In another aspect, the invention provides kits comprising a compositiondisclosed herein (e.g., a matrix or a medium disclosed herein) and aninstruction for using the composition for storage and/or stabilization(e.g., dry-state storage or stabilization in an aqueous medium) ofbiomolecules. In certain embodiments, the kit includes a container thatcontains the composition. In certain embodiments, the kit includes asample carrier disclosed herein.

In another aspect, the invention provides methods of storing and/orstabilizing biomolecules. In certain embodiments, the methods comprisemixing a sample that contains biomolecules, such as a biological sample,with a composition disclosed herein (e.g., a matrix or a mediumdisclosed herein) to form a mixture, and drying down the mixture. Incertain embodiments, the sample is a liquid sample, such as a bodilyfluid, a cellular lysate, or a tissue homogenate. In certainembodiments, the sample is carried by a solid support, such as a cottonswab, a filter paper, or a sponge. In certain related embodiments,mixing comprises rinsing a solid support that carries the sample with amedium disclosed herein.

Additional aspects and details of the invention will be evident from thedetailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an image of a sample carrier that has a plurality ofcontainers and a plurality of discrete sample nodes. In this embodiment,the containers are the wells of a multi-well plate. Each of thecontainers shown supports a single discrete sample node. Each discretesample node consists of a solid state storage matrix formed byevaporation of a storage medium containing boric acid and DNA.

FIG. 2(a) is a picture of a gel showing ˜100 ng of DNA recovered from 1μg DNA samples following dry-state storage at room temperature (RT), 37°C., and 56° C., in a matrix composed of boric acid. FIG. 2(b) is apicture of a gel showing ˜100 ng of DNA recovered from 1 μg DNA samplesfollowing dry-state storage at RT, 37° C., 56° C., and 76° C., in amatrix composed of boric acid and histidine. Prior to dry-state storage,the DNA samples were maintained in solution in water or TE buffer.

FIG. 3(a) shows real time PCR results for DNA recovered from 250 ng DNAsamples following dry-state storage at room temperature, 37° C., and 56°C., in a matrix composed of boric acid. FIG. 3(b) shows real time PCRresults for DNA recovered from 250 ng DNA samples following dry-statestorage at room temperature, 37° C., 56° C., and 76° C., in a matrixcomposed of boric acid and histidine.

FIG. 4 shows microarray data for DNA recovered from 1 μg DNA samplesfollowing dry-state storage at room temperature, in a matrix composed ofboric acid or boric acid and histidine.

FIG. 5 is a set of graphs showing Agilent Bioanalyzer data for 1microgram of purified total RNA following dry-state storage at (A) 25°C. or (B) 76° C. for 7 days in a matrix consisting of borate, citrate,EDTA, pyruvate, and dextran. The two peaks appearing at about 41 andabout 48 seconds correspond to ribosomal RNA.

FIG. 6 is a set of graphs showing Agilent Bioanalyzer data for 1microgram of purified total RNA following dry-state storage at (A) 25°C. or (B) 76° C. for 7 days in a matrix consisting of tris, borate,mannitol, and EDTA. The two peaks appearing at about 41 and about 48seconds correspond to ribosomal RNA.

FIG. 7 is a set of graphs showing Agilent Bioanalyzer data for 1microgram of purified total RNA following dry-state storage at (A) 25°C. or (B) 76° C. for 7 days in a matrix consisting of borate, citrate,mannitol, and dextran. The two peaks appearing at about 41 and about 48seconds correspond to ribosomal RNA.

FIG. 8 is a set of graphs showing Agilent Bioanalyzer data for 1microgram of purified total RNA following dry-state storage at (A) 25°C. or (B) 76° C. for 7 days in a matrix consisting of borate, citrate,mannitol, and pyruvate. The two peaks appearing at about 41 and about 48seconds correspond to ribosomal RNA.

FIG. 9 is a set of graphs showing Agilent Bioanalyzer data for 1microgram of purified total RNA following dry-state storage at (A) 25°C. or (B) 76° C. for 7 days in a matrix consisting of borate, citrate,pyruvate, and dextran. The two peaks appearing at about 41 and about 48seconds correspond to ribosomal RNA.

FIG. 10 is a set of graphs showing Agilent Bioanalyzer data for 1microgram of purified total RNA following dry-state storage at (A) 25°C. or (B) 76° C. for 7 days in a matrix consisting of borate, citrate,EDTA, and dextran. The two peaks appearing at about 41 and about 48seconds correspond to ribosomal RNA.

FIG. 11 is a set of graphs showing Agilent Bioanalyzer data for 1microgram of purified total RNA following dry-state storage at (A) 25°C. or (B) 76° C. for 7 days in a matrix consisting of borate, EDTA, andpyruvate. The two peaks appearing at about 41 and about 48 secondscorrespond to ribosomal RNA.

FIG. 12 is a set of graphs showing Agilent Bioanalyzer data for 1microgram of purified total RNA following dry-state storage at (A) 25°C. or (B) 76° C. for 7 days in a matrix consisting of borate, citrate,and pyruvate. The two peaks appearing at about 41 and about 48 secondscorrespond to ribosomal RNA.

FIG. 13 is a set of graphs showing Agilent Bioanalyzer data for 1microgram of purified total RNA following dry-state storage at (A) 25°C. or (B) 76° C. for 7 days in a matrix consisting of borate, citrate,and mannitol. The two peaks appearing at about 41 and about 48 secondscorrespond to ribosomal RNA.

FIG. 14 is a set of graphs showing Agilent Bioanalyzer data for 1microgram of purified total RNA following dry-state storage at (A) 25°C. or (B) 76° C. for 7 days in a matrix consisting of borate, citrate,and EDTA. The two peaks appearing at about 41 and about 48 secondscorrespond to ribosomal RNA.

FIG. 15 is a set of graphs showing Agilent Bioanalyzer data for 1microgram of purified total RNA following dry-state storage at (A) 25°C. or (B) 76° C. for 7 days in the absence of a matrix. The two peaksappearing at about 41 and about 48 seconds correspond to ribosomal RNA.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings.

The term “biomolecules” is expressly intended to include short and longbiopolymers including, but not limited to, such polymeric molecules asDNA, RNA, proteins, immunoglobulins, and carbohydrates, whethernaturally existing or synthesized and with or without modifications,such as modified amino acids or nucleotides. Thus, for example, the termincludes both short, oligomeric nucleic acid molecules (e.g., less than50 bases in length), long nucleic acid molecules (e.g., greater than 50kB in length), and any length in between. The term similarly encompassesboth short peptide sequences (e.g., less than 10 amino acids), longpolypeptide sequences (e.g., greater than 1000 amino acids in length),and any length in between. In addition, the term “biomolecules” isexpressly intended to include small molecules found in biologicalsamples, such as lipids, coenzymes, metabolites, and pharmaceuticalagents and their metabolites.

The term “protein” as used herein is used interchangeably with the term“polypeptide.”

The term “nucleic acid,” “oligonucleotide” and “polynucleotide” are usedinterchangeably and encompass DNA, RNA, eDNA, whether single stranded ordouble stranded, as well as chemical modifications thereof andartificial nucleic acids (e.g., PNA, LNA, etc.).

Compositions

The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery that certaincompounds, especially water soluble inorganic compounds and compoundsthat function as singlet oxygen quenchers, are useful for thestabilization and/or storage of biomolecules in the dry state, includingat elevated temperatures. The invention is also based, in part, on thediscovery that certain combinations of compounds stabilize biomolecules,including RNA, in aqueous solution.

Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides compositionsuseful for storing and/or stabilizing biomolecules. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise an inorganic compound, whereinthe inorganic compound is water soluble.

As used herein, an “inorganic compound” is a compound having a molecularformula that does not include carbon. In certain embodiments, theinorganic compound is an acid (i.e., a compound that, when dissolved inwater, gives rise to a solution having a pH less than 7.0). In certainembodiments, the inorganic compound is a base (i.e., a compound that,when dissolved in water, gives rise to a solution having a pH greaterthan 7.0). In other embodiments, the inorganic compound is not a base(e.g., the inorganic compound is not a Lewis base). In still otherembodiments, the inorganic compound is a salt.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic compound is a metal chelator. Asused herein, a “metal chelator” is a compound that forms two or morebonds with a single metal ion. In certain embodiments, the inorganiccompound chelates at least one type of metal ion selected from the groupconsisting of magnesium ions, chromium ions, manganese ions, iron ions,cobalt ions, nickel ions, copper ions, zinc ions, lead ions, or anycombination thereof. In certain embodiments, the inorganic compoundchelates at least one type of metal ion and inhibits metal-dependentreactions between such ions and biomolecules present in the composition.In certain embodiments, the inorganic compound chelates at least onetype of metal ion and prevents such ions from degrading biomoleculespresent in the composition. In preferred embodiments, the inorganiccompound chelates magnesium ions and/or manganese ions and inhibitsmetal-dependant reactions between such ions and biomolecules present inthe composition. In other preferred embodiments, the inorganic compoundchelates magnesium ions and/or manganese ions and prevents such ionsfrom degrading biomolecules present in the composition.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic compound is a microcidal agent. Asused herein, a “microcidal agent” is any compound that slows or stopsthe growth of a microorganism. In certain embodiments, the inorganiccompound kills one or more microbial organism, such as a bacterium,protist, and/or fungus. In certain embodiments, the inorganic compoundinhibits the growth of one or more microbial organism, such as abacterium, protist, virus, or fungus.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic compound is capable of absorbingor sequestering water molecules, thereby preventing hydrolysis ofbiomolecules. In certain embodiments, the inorganic compound, whenequilibrated with atmospheric humidity of 50%, is hydrated to about 70%,60%, 50%, 45%, 40%, 38%, 36%, 35%, 34%, 33%, 32%, 31%, 30%, or less bymass.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic compound concentrates upon dryingand forms a crystalline or paracrystalline structure. In certainembodiments, the inorganic compound does not form a glass structure upondrying. As used herein, the term “glass structure” refers to asolid-state structure in which the molecules comprising the glassstructure display only short-range order, rather than extended-rangecrystalline order with respect to one another. In certain embodiments,the inorganic compound is capable of co-localization with biomolecules.For example, in certain embodiments, the inorganic compound concentratesupon drying and forms a crystalline or paracrystalline state in directcontact with biomolecules.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic compound is inert with respect toone or more types of biomolecules. As used herein in this context,“inert” means that the inorganic compound either does not bind to one ormore types of biomolecules or binds reversibly such that thebiomolecules are not degraded as a result of such binding. In preferredembodiments, the inorganic compound is inert with respect to nucleicacids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, coenzymes, metabolites,pharmaceutical agents, metabolites of pharmaceutical agents, or anycombination thereof.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic compound is inert with respect toone or more downstream methods that may be used to analyze biomoleculesthat have been stored in and/or stabilized by a composition of theinvention. The term “inert,” as used herein in this context, means thatthe presence of inorganic compound in a sample does not reduce the rateof the method by more than 50% and does significantly reduce thefidelity of the method. In certain embodiments, the inorganic compoundis inert with respect to a method selected from the group consisting ofnucleic acid transcription and/or amplification (e.g., reversetranscription, PCR, real time PCR, etc.), endonuclease digestion (e.g.,reactions involving type II endonucleases, such as EcoRI, BamBI,Hindiii, Noti, Smai, Bglii, etc.), cloning techniques (e.g., ligation),protein digestion (e.g., reactions involving proteinases such asproteinase K, trypsin, chymotrypsin, savinase, etc.), microarrayanalysis (e.g., of nucleic acids or proteins), immunoassays (e.g.,immunoprecipitation, ELISA, etc.), mass spectroscopy, or any combinationthereof. In certain embodiments, the inorganic compound is inert upondilution (e.g., dilution by a factor of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15,20, or more). In other embodiments, the inorganic compound is inert inundiluted form. In certain embodiments, the inorganic compound is inertwith respect to one or more such methods when present in the reaction atconcentrations of 0.075 mg/ml, 0.1 mg/ml, 0.2 mg/ml, 0.3 mg/ml, 0.4mg/ml, 0.5 mg/ml, 0.6 mg/ml, 0.7 mg/ml, 0.8 mg/ml, 0.9 mg/ml, 1.0 mg/ml,2.0 mg/ml, 5.0 mg/ml, 10.0 mg/ml, or greater.

As used herein in this context, “water soluble” means that the inorganiccompound has a solubility in water, at 25° C., of 1.0 mg/ml or greater.In certain embodiments, the inorganic compound has a solubility inwater, at 25° C., of at least 1.5 mg/ml, 2.0 mg/ml, 3.0 mg/ml, 4.0mg/ml, 5.0 mg/ml, 7.5 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml, 15 mg/ml, 20 mg/ml, 25 mg/ml, 30mg/ml, 35 mg/ml, 40 mg/ml, 50 mg/ml, 60 mg/ml, 70 mg/ml, 80 mg/ml, 90mg/ml, 100 mg/ml, 125 mg/ml, 150 mg/ml, 200 mg/ml, or greater. Incertain embodiments, the inorganic compound can be easily solubilized inwater. For example, in certain embodiments, the inorganic compound canbe solubilized in water, at 25° C., in 75, 60, 50, 40, 30, 25, 20, 15,10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or fewer minutes. In other embodiments, theinorganic compound can be solubilized in water, at 25° C., in 7, 6, 5,4, 3, 2, 1.5, or fewer hours. In certain embodiments, the inorganiccompound can be solubilized in water, at 25° C., with or without the useof agitation (e.g., pipetting, shaking, or vortexing).

In certain embodiments, the inorganic compound has a molecular formulathat comprises an element from the first (e.g., VA), third (e.g., IIIAor IIIB), fifth (e.g., VA or VB), sixth (e.g., VIA), or seventh (e.g.,VIIA) Group of the Periodic Table of Elements, or a combination thereof.For example, in certain embodiments, the inorganic compound has amolecular formula that comprises hydrogen, sodium, potassium, boron,aluminum, phosphorus, vanadium, oxygen, sulfur, chloride, or acombination thereof. In certain embodiments, the inorganic compound hasa molecular formula that comprises an element from at least the third(e.g., IIIA or IIIB) or fifth (e.g., VA or VB) Group of the Periodictable of elements. In certain embodiments, the inorganic compound has amolecular formula that comprises boron, aluminum, phosphorus, orvanadium. In other embodiments, the inorganic compound has a molecularformula that does not comprise an element selected from the groupconsisting of boron, aluminum, phosphorus, vanadium, or a combinationthereof.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic compound is boric acid or acorresponding salt of boric acid (e.g., borax). In certain embodiments,the inorganic compound is phosphoric acid or a corresponding salt ofphosphoric acid (e.g., Na₃PO₄, Na₂HPO₄, NaH₂PO₄, K₃PO₄, K₂HPO₄, KH₂PO₄).In certain embodiments, the inorganic compound is a vanadate salt (e.g.,Na₃VO₄, K₃VO₄). In certain embodiments, the inorganic compound is analuminum salt (e.g., an alum, such as potassium alum (KAl(SO₄)₂.12H₂O),soda alum (Na₂SO₄Al₂(SO₄)₃.24H₂O), or ammonium alum(NH₄Al(SO₄)₂.12H₂O)). In certain embodiments, the inorganic compound issodium chloride or potassium chloride. In certain embodiments, theinorganic compound is a combination selected from the group consistingof boric acid, a corresponding salt of boric acid (e.g., borax),phosphoric acid, a corresponding salt of phosphoric acid (e.g., Na₃PO₄,Na₂HPO₄, NaH₂PO₄, K₃PO₄, K₂HPO₄, KH₂PO₄), a vanadate salt (e.g., Na₃VO₄,K₃VO₄), an aluminum salt (e.g., an alum, such as potassium alum(KAl(SO₄)₂.12H₂O), soda alum (Na₂SO₄Al₂(SO₄)₃.24H₂O), or ammonium alum(NH₄Al(SO₄)₂.12H₂O)), sodium chloride, and potassium chloride.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic compound is neither boric acid nora corresponding salt of boric acid (e.g., borax). In certainembodiments, the inorganic compound is neither phosphoric acid nor acorresponding salt of phosphoric acid (e.g., Na₃PO₄, Na₂HPO₄, NaH₂PO₄,K₃PO₄, K₂HPO₄, KH₂PO₄). In certain embodiments, the inorganic compoundis not a vanadate salt (e.g., Na₃VO₄, K₃VO₄). In certain embodiments,the inorganic compound is not an aluminum salt (e.g., an alum, such aspotassium alum (i.e., KAl(SO₄)₂.12H₂O), soda alum (i.e.,Na₂SO₄Al₂(SO₄)₃.24H₂O), or ammonium alum (i.e., NH₄Al(SO₄)₂.12H₂O)). Incertain embodiments, the inorganic compound is not sodium chloride. Incertain embodiments, the inorganic compound is not potassium chloride.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic compound is not an inorganicmineral. As used herein, an “inorganic mineral” is an inorganic compoundthat is not soluble in water at 25° C. Examples of inorganic mineralsinclude hydroxylapetite, Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂, and various clays, such askaolin (i.e., Al₂O₃.2SiO₂.2H₂O) and montmorillonite (i.e.,Na_(0.2)Ca_(0.1)Al₂Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂(H₂O)₁₀).

In certain embodiments, the inorganic compound has a molecular formulathat does not include magnesium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt,nickel, copper, zinc, or lead.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic compound (or mixture of inorganiccompounds) is the principal component of the composition. As usedherein, the “principal component” of a composition is a single chemicalcompound (or specific set of compounds) present in greatest abundance,by weight, in the composition. In certain embodiments, the inorganiccompound (or mixture of inorganic compounds) constitutes at least 5%,10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, or more of the composition.In other embodiments, the inorganic compound (or mixture of inorganiccompounds) is the principal non-water component of the composition. Incertain embodiments, the inorganic compound (or mixture of inorganiccompounds) constitutes at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%,45%, 50%, or more of the non-water portion of the composition.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic compound (or mixture of inorganiccompounds) is part of an aqueous medium of the invention and is presentin a concentration of about 0.5 mg/ml to about 200 mg/ml, about 1.0mg/ml to about 150.0 mg/ml, about 1.5 mg/ml to about 100.0 mg/ml, about2.0 mg/ml to about 50.0 mg/ml, about 2.5 mg/ml to about 25.0 mg/ml, orabout 3.0 mg/ml to about 10.0 mg/ml. In certain embodiments, theinorganic compound (or mixture of inorganic compounds) is part of anaqueous solution of the invention and is present in a concentration ofabout 0.1 mg/ml to about 10 mg/ml, about 0.2 mg/ml to about 8 mg/ml,about 0.3 mg/ml to about 6 mg/ml, about 0.4 mg/ml to about 4 mg/ml,about 0.5 mg/ml to about 2 mg/ml, or about 0.6 mg/ml to about 1 mg/ml.In certain embodiments, the inorganic compound (or mixture of inorganiccompounds) is part of an aqueous solution of the invention and ispresent in a concentration of about 5.0 mg/ml to about 150.0 mg/ml,about 10.0 mg/ml to about 125.0 mg/ml, about 20.0 mg/ml to about 100.0mg/ml, or about 25.0 mg/ml to about 75.0 mg/ml.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic compound is part of an aqueousmedium of the invention and is present in a concentration of about 5 mMto about 500 mM, about 6 mM to about 450 mM, about 7 mM to about 400 mM,about 8 mM to about 350 mM, about 9 mM to about 300 mM, about 10 mM toabout 250 mM, about 10 mM to about 200 mM, about 10 mM to about 150 mM,about 15 mM to about 140 mM, about 20 mM to about 130 mM, about 25 mM toabout 120 mM, about 30 mM to about 110 mM, about 35 mM to about 105 mM,or about 40 mM to about 100 mM. In certain embodiments, the inorganiccompound is part of an aqueous medium of the invention and is present ina concentration of about 1 mM to about 100 mM, about 2 mM to about 80mM, about 3 mM to about 60 mM, about 4 mM to about 40 mM, about 5 mM toabout 30 mM, about 6 mM to about 25 mM, about 7 mM to about 20 mM, orabout 8 mM to about 15 mM.

In certain embodiments, compositions of the invention further comprise astabilizer. For example, in certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise an inorganic compound and a stabilizer. The inorganic compoundcan be as described above. As used herein, a “stabilizer” is any agentcapable of protecting at least one type of biomolecule from damageduring storage. In certain embodiments, the at least one type ofbiomolecule protected by the stabilizer is DNA, protein, carbohydrates,lipids, pharmaceutical agent or metabolite thereof, or any combinationthereof. In certain embodiments, the stabilizer is capable of inhibitingundesirable contact between biomolecules and various contaminants orpotential sources of degradation, including but not limited to oxygen(e.g., reactive oxygen species, such as singlet oxygen, hydroxylradicals, superoxide anions, etc.), free water, enzymes, metal ions, orother reactive chemical species.

In certain embodiments, the stabilizer concentrates upon drying andforms a crystalline or paracrystalline structure. In certainembodiments, the stabilizer does not form a glass structure upon drying.In certain embodiments, the stabilizer is capable of co-localizing withbiomolecules. For example, in certain embodiments, the stabilizerconcentrates upon drying and forms a crystalline or paracrystallinestate in direct contact with biomolecules. The co-localization ofstabilizers and biomolecules can provide additional stabilization of thebiomolecule.

In certain embodiments, the stabilizer is a small molecule stabilizer.In certain embodiments, the stabilizer is selected from the groupconsisting of singlet oxygen quenchers, hydroxyl radical scavengers,hydroperoxide removing agents, reducing agents, metal chelators,detergents, chaotropes, and combinations thereof. Examples of singletoxygen quenchers include, but are not limited to, alkyl imidazoles(e.g., histidine, L-camosine, histamine, imidazole 4-acetic acid),indoles (e.g., tryptophan and derivatives thereof, such asN-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, N-acetylserotonin,6-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline), sulfur-containing aminoacids (e.g., methionine, ethionine, djenkolic acid, lanthionine,N-formyl methionine, felinine, S-allyl cysteine,S-aminoethyl-L-cysteine), phenolic compounds (e.g., tyrosine andderivatives thereof), aromatic acids (e.g., ascorbate, salicylic acid,and derivatives thereof), azide (e.g., sodium azide), tocopherol andrelated vitamin E derivatives, and carotene and related vitamin Aderivatives. Examples of hydroxyl radical scavengers include, but arenot limited to azide, dimethyl sulfoxide, histidine, mannitol, sucrose,glucose, salicylate, and L-cysteine. Examples of hydroperoxide removingagents include, but are not limited to catalase, pyruvate, glutathione,and glutathione peroxidases. Examples of reducing agents include, butare not limited to, cysteine and mercaptoethylene. Examples of metalchelators include, but are not limited to, EDTA, EGTA, o-phenanthroline,and citrate. Examples of detergents include, but are not limited to, SDSand sodium lauroyl sarcosyl. Examples of chaotropes include, but are notlimited to guandinium hydrochloride, isothiocyanate, urea, andformamide.

In certain embodiments, the stabilizer comprises a singlet oxygenquencher (e.g., an alkyl imidazole, an indole, or a sulfur-containingamino acid). In certain embodiments, the stabilizer comprises two ormore singlet oxygen quenchers (e.g., selected from the group consistingof an alkyl imidazole, an indole, and a sulfur-containing amino acid).In certain embodiments, the stabilizer comprises a singlet oxygenquencher and a hydroxyl radical scavenger, a hydroperoxide removingagent, a metal chelator, or any combination thereof. In certainembodiments, the stabilizer comprises a hydroxyl radical scavenger. Incertain embodiments, the stabilizer comprises a hydroperoxide removingagent. In certain embodiments, the stabilizer comprises a metalchelator. In certain embodiments, the stabilizer comprises two or moremetal chelators. In certain embodiments, the stabilizer comprises ahydroxyl radical scavenger, a hydroperoxide removing agent, a metalchelator, or any combination thereof (e.g., a hydroxyl radical scavengerand a hydroperoxide removing agent; a hydroxyl radical scavenger and ametal chelator; a hydroperoxide removing agent and a metal chelator; ahydroxyl radical scavenger, a hydroperoxide removing agent, and a metalchelator).

In certain embodiments, the stabilizer does not comprise EDTA, EGTA, orthe combination of EDTA and EGTA. In certain embodiments, the stabilizerdoes not comprise SDS. In certain embodiments, the stabilizer does notcomprise cysteine, mercaptoethylene, or the combination of cysteine andmercaptoethylene.

In certain embodiments, the ratio of inorganic compounds to stabilizersin the composition is about 20:1 to about 1:2, about 15:1 to about1:1.5, about 12:1 to about 1:1, about 10:1 to about 1.5:1, about 8:1 toabout 2:1, or about 5:1 to about 2.5:1 by weight. In other embodiments,the ratio of inorganic compounds to stabilizers is about 5:1 to about1:5, about 4:1 to about 1:4, about 3:1 to about 1:3, about 2:1 to about1:2, or about 1:1. In other embodiments, the ratio of inorganiccompounds to stabilizers is about 20:1 to about 5:1, about 18:1 to about10:1, or about 16:1 to about 12:1.

In certain embodiments, the stabilizer (or mixture of stabilizers) ispart of an aqueous medium of the invention and is present at aconcentration of about 0.05 mg/ml to about 100.0 mg/ml, about 0.1 mg/mlto about 80.0 mg/ml, about 0.2 mg/ml to about 60.0 mg/ml, about 0.3mg/ml to about 40.0 mg/ml, about 0.4 mg/ml to about 20.0 mg/ml, about0.5 mg/ml to about 15.0 mg/ml, about 1.0 mg/ml to about 10.0 mg/ml, orabout 1.5 mg/ml to about 5.0 mg/ml. In certain embodiments, thestabilizer (or mixture of stabilizers) is part of an aqueous medium ofthe invention and is present at a concentration of about 0.05 mg/ml toabout 10.0 mg/ml, about 0.1 mg/ml to about 8.0 mg/ml, about 0.2 mg/ml toabout 6.0 mg/ml, about 0.3 mg/ml to about 5.0 mg/ml, about 0.4 mg/ml toabout 4.0 mg/ml, about 0.5 mg/ml to about 3.0 mg/ml, about 0.6 mg/ml toabout 2.5 mg/ml, or about 0.7 mg/ml to about 2.0 mg/ml.

In certain embodiments, the stabilizer is part of an aqueous medium ofthe invention and is present at a concentration of about 5 mM to about500 mM, about 6 mM to about 400 mM, about 7 mM to about 300 mM, about 8mM to about 250 mM, about 9 mM to about 200 mM, about 10 mM to about 150mM, about 15 mM to about 100 mM, or about 20 mM to about 50 mM. Incertain embodiments, the stabilizer is part of an aqueous medium of theinvention and is present at a concentration of about 0.1 mM to about 100mM, about 0.2 mM to about 80 mM, about 0.3 mM to about 60 mM, about 0.4mM to about 40 mM, about 0.5 mM to about 30 mM, about 0.6 mM to about 25mM, about 0.7 mM to about 20 mM, about 0.8 to about 15 mM, about 0.9 mMto about 12.5 mM, or about 1.0 mM to about 10 mM.

In certain embodiments, compositions of the invention further comprise aplasticizer. For example, in certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise an inorganic compound and a plasticizer. As used herein, a“plasticizer” is any agent capable of facilitating or improving thestorage function of a dry-state matrix. Thus, in certain embodiments,the plasticizer improves the mechanical properties (e.g., flexibility)of a dry-state matrix. In certain embodiments, the plasticizer improvesthe durability (e.g., resistance to vibrational damage) of a dry-statematrix. In certain embodiments, the plasticizer facilitates thereversible dissociation between inorganic compounds and biomoleculesupon re-hydration of a dry-state matrix. In other embodiments, theplasticizer facilitates the reversible dissociation between stabilizersand biomolecules upon re-hydration of a dry-state matrix.

In certain embodiments, the plasticizer does not substantially interferewith the properties of biomolecules stored in a dry-state matrix of theinvention (e.g., does not interfere with the chemical or physicalstability of stored biomolecules). In other embodiments, the plasticizerinhibits microbial growth (e.g., bacterial or fungal growth) duringstorage of the dry-state matrices of the invention.

In certain embodiments, the plasticizer is a poly-alcohol. As usedherein, a “poly-alcohol” is an organic compound having two or morehydroxyl groups. In certain embodiments, the plasticizer is a long-chainpoly-alcohol (e.g., polyvinyl alcohol or polyserine). In certainembodiments, the plasticizer is a sugar (e.g., a monosaccharide, adisaccharide, or a complex sugar). Monosaccharides include, but are notlimited to, hexoses, pentoses, tetroses, sedoheptulose, glucose,mannose, galactose, allose, altrose, gulose, idose, talose, fructose,sorbose, psicose, tagatose, fucose, fuculose, rhamnose, ribose,arabinose, xylose, lyxose, ribulose, xylulose, deoxyribose, erythrulose,erythrose, threose, dihydroxyacetone, and glyceraldehyde. Disaccharidesinclude, but are not limited to, sucrose, lactose, trehalose, andmaltose. Complex sugars include, but are not limited to, trisaccharides,tetrasaccharides, polysaccharides, glycosaminoglycans, aminoglycosidase,raffinose, melezitose, maltotriose, acarbose, stachyose,fructo-oligosaccharide, galacto-oligosaccharide, mannan-oligosaccharide,glycogen, starch, amylose, amylopectin, cellulose, chitin, inulin,dextrin, glucan (e.g., beta-glucan, dextran), heparin, chondroitinsulfate, hyaluronan, heparin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, keratan sulfate,kanamycin, streptomycin, tobramycin, neomycin, paromomycin, apramycin,gentamycin, netilmycin, and amikacin.

In certain embodiments, the plasticizer is a short-chain poly-alcohol(e.g., a linear or branched short chain poly-alcohol). As used herein, a“short-chain” poly-alcohol is a poly-alcohol having a backbone of six orfewer carbon atoms. In certain embodiments, the short-chain poly-alcoholincludes twelve or fewer carbon atoms. In certain embodiments, theshort-chain poly-alcohol is linear and has the general formulaC_(n)(OH)_(m)H₂ _(n) ⁺²⁻ _(m) where n=2 to 6 and m=2 ton. In certainembodiments, the short-chain poly-alcohol is linear and has the generalformula C_(n)(OH)_(m)H₂ _(n) ⁺²⁻ _(m) where n=2 to 12 and m=2 to n. Incertain embodiments, the short-chain poly-alcohol is branched and hasthe general formula C_(n)(OH)_(m)H_(2n+2−m) where n=4 to 6 and m=2 ton.In certain embodiments, the short-chain poly-alcohol is branched and hasthe general formula C_(n)(OH)_(m)H_(2n+2−m) where n=4 to 12 and m=2 ton.Short-chain poly-alcohols of the invention include, but are not limitedto, ethylene glycol, 1-3 propane diol, glycerol, butane triol (e.g.,n-butane triol or isobutane triol), erythritol, pentane triol (e.g.,n-pentane triol or isopentane triol), pentane tetraol (e.g., n-pentanetetraol, isopentane tetraol), pentaerythritol, xylitol, sorbitol andmannitol.

In certain embodiments, the plasticizer is a short-chain polyol selectedfrom the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol,glycerol, and erythritol. In other embodiments, the plasticizer isglucose. In other embodiments, the plasticizer is sucrose, trehalose, ormannose. In other embodiments, the plasticizer is ficol or dextran(e.g., short-chain dextran having a MW less than 10 kD). In still otherembodiments, the plasticizer is polyvinyl alcohol or polyserine. Thus,for example, addition of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol,erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, ficol, dextran,polyvinyl alcohol, or polyserine to a dry-state composition of theinvention renders the composition (e.g., matrix) more resistant tovibrational damage and facilitates reversible dissociation of theair-dried matrix upon re-hydration.

In certain embodiments, the plasticizer is a poly-alcohol, wherein thepoly-alcohol is not a monosaccharide. In certain embodiments, theplasticizer is a poly-alcohol, wherein the poly-alcohol is not a hexose.In certain embodiments, the plasticizer is a poly-alcohol, wherein thepoly-alcohol is not a pentose. In certain embodiments, the plasticizeris a poly-alcohol, wherein the poly-alcohol is not a tetrose. In certainembodiments, the plasticizer is a poly-alcohol, wherein the poly-alcoholis not one or more monosaccharides selected from the group consisting ofsedoheptulose, glucose, mannose, galactose, allose, altrose, gulose,idose, talose, fructose, sorbose, psicose, tagatose, fucose, fuculose,rhamnose, ribose, arabinose, xylose, lyxose, ribulose, xylulose,deoxyribose, erythrulose, erythrose, threose, dihydroxyacetone, andglyceraldehyde.

In certain embodiments, the plasticizer is a poly-alcohol, wherein thepoly-alcohol is not a disaccharide. In certain embodiments, theplasticizer is not one or more disaccharides selected from the groupconsisting of sucrose, lactose, trehalose, and maltose.

In certain embodiments, the plasticizer is a poly-alcohol, wherein thepoly-alcohol is not a complex sugar. In certain embodiments, theplasticizer is a poly-alcohol, wherein the poly-alcohol is not atrisaccharide. In certain embodiments, the plasticizer is apoly-alcohol, wherein the poly-alcohol is not a tetrasaccharide. Incertain embodiments, the plasticizer is a poly-alcohol, wherein thepoly-alcohol is not a polysaccharide. In certain embodiments, theplasticizer is a poly-alcohol, wherein the poly-alcohol is not aglycosaminoglycan. In certain embodiments, the plasticizer is apoly-alcohol, wherein the poly-alcohol is not an aminoglycosidase. Incertain embodiments, the plasticizer is a poly-alcohol, wherein thepoly-alcohol is not one or more complex sugars selected from the groupconsisting of raffinose, melezitose, maltotriose, acarbose, stachyose,fructo-oligosaccharide, galacto-oligosaccharide, mannan-oligosaccharide,glycogen, starch, amylose, amylopectin, cellulose, chitin, inulin,dextrin, glucan (e.g., beta-glucan, dextran), heparin, chondroitinsulfate, hyaluronan, heparin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, keratan sulfate,kanamycin, streptomycin, tobramycin, neomycin, paromomycin, apramycin,gentamycin, netilmycin, and amikacin.

In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention comprise aninorganic compound, a stabilizer, and a plasticizer. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise an inorganic compound, two ormore stabilizers, and a plasticizer. The inorganic compound and thestabilizers can be any inorganic compound and stabilizer describedherein.

In certain embodiments, the ratio of inorganic compounds to plasticizersin the composition is about 20:1 to about 1:2, about 15:1 to about1:1.5, 12:1 to about 1:1, about 10:1 to about 1.5:1, about 8:1 to about2:1 by weight. In other embodiments, the ratio of inorganic compounds toplasticizers is about 500:1 to about 50:1, about 480:1 to about 100:1,about 460:1 to about 150:1, about 440:1 to about 200:1, about 420:1 toabout 250:1, or about 400:1 to about 300:1.

In certain embodiments, the plasticizer is part of an aqueous medium ofthe invention and is present at a concentration of about 0.01% to about10%, about 0.02% to about 8%, about 0.03% to about 5%, about 0.04% toabout 2%, about 0.05% to about 1%, or about 0.06% to about 0.5%.

In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention furthercomprise one or more RNase inhibitors. For example, in certainembodiments, the compositions comprise an inorganic compound and anRNase inhibitor. RNase inhibitors include, but are not limited to,2′-cytidine monophosphate free acid (2′-CMP), aluminon, adenosine5′-pyrophosphate, 5′-diphosphoadenosine 3′-phosphate (ppA-3′-p),5′-diphosphoadenosine 2′-phosphate (ppA-2′-p), Leucine, poly-L-asparticacid, tyrosine-glutamic acid polymer, oligovinysulfonic acid,5′-phopho-2′-deoxyuridine 3′-pyrophosphate P′ 5′-ester with adenosine3′-phosphate (pdUppAp). In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise two or more RNase inhibitors.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise 2′-CMP. In certainembodiments, the compositions further comprise 2′-CMP and aluminon. Incertain embodiments, the compositions further comprise 2′-CMP andppA-3′-p. In certain embodiments, the compositions further comprise2′-CMP and Leucine. In certain embodiments, the compositions furthercomprise 2′-CMP and poly-L-aspartic acid. In certain embodiments, thecompositions further comprise 2′-CMP and tyrosine glutamic acid polymer.In certain embodiments, the compositions further comprise 2′-CMP andoligovinysulfonic acid. In certain embodiments, the compositions furthercomprise 2′-CMP and pdUppAp. In certain embodiments, the compositionsfurther comprise aluminon. In certain embodiments, the compositionsfurther comprise aluminon and ppA-3′-p. In certain embodiments, thecompositions further comprise aluminon and Leucine. In certainembodiments, the compositions further comprise aluminon andpoly-L-aspartic acid. In certain embodiments, the compositions furthercomprise aluminon and tyrosine glutamic acid polymer. In certainembodiments, the compositions further comprise aluminon andoligovinysulfonic acid. In certain embodiments, the compositions furthercomprise aluminon and pdUppAp. In certain embodiments, the compositionsfurther comprise ppA-3′-p. In certain embodiments, the compositionsfurther comprise ppA-3′-p and Leucine. In certain embodiments, thecompositions further comprise ppA-3′-p and poly-L-aspartic acid. Incertain embodiments, the compositions further comprise ppA-3′-p andtyrosine glutamic acid polymer. In certain embodiments, the compositionsfurther comprise ppA-3′-p and oligovinysulfonic acid. In certainembodiments, the compositions further comprise ppA-3′-p and pdUppAp. Incertain embodiments, the compositions further comprise Leucine. Incertain embodiments, the compositions further comprise Leucine andpoly-L-aspartic acid. In certain embodiments, the compositions furthercomprise Leucine and tyrosine glutamic acid polymer. In certainembodiments, the compositions further comprise Leucine andoligovinysulfonic acid. In certain embodiments, the compositions furthercomprise Leucine and pdUppAp. In certain embodiments, the compositionsfurther comprise poly-L-aspartic acid. In certain embodiments, thecompositions further comprise poly-L-aspartic acid and tyrosine glutamicacid polymer. In certain embodiments, the compositions further comprisepoly-L-aspartic acid and oligovinysulfonic acid. In certain embodiments,the compositions further comprise poly-L-aspartic acid and pdUppAp. Incertain embodiments, the compositions further comprise tyrosine glutamicacid polymer. In certain embodiments, the compositions further comprisetyrosine glutamic acid polymer and oligovinysulfonic acid. In certainembodiments, the compositions further comprise tyrosine glutamic acidpolymer and pdUppAp. In certain embodiments, the compositions furthercomprise oligovinysulfonic acid. In certain embodiments, thecompositions further comprise oligovinysulfonic acid and pdUppAp.

In certain embodiments, the RNase inhibitor is part of an aqueous mediumof the invention and is present at a concentration of about 1 mM toabout 250 mM, about 1 mM to about 200 mM, about 1 mM to about 150 mM,about 1 mM to about 100 mM, about 2 mM to about 50 mM, about 3 mM toabout 40 mM, about 4 mM to about 30 mM, about 5 mM to about 20 mM, about6 mM to about 15 mM, or about 10 mM. In certain embodiments, the RNaseinhibitor is part of an aqueous medium of the invention and is presentat a concentration of about 1 μM to about 500 μM, about 1 μM to about400 μM, about 1 μM to about 300 μM, about 1 μM to about 200 μM, about 1μM to about 100 μM, about 1 μM to about 50 μM, about 2 μM to about 40μM, about 3 μM to about 30 μM, about 4 μM to about 20 μM, about 5 μM toabout 15 μM, or about 10 μM.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise an inorganic compound,a stabilizing agent, and an RNase inhibitor. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise an inorganic compound, a stabilizing agent, aplasticizer, and an RNase inhibitor. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise an inorganic compound, a metal chelator, and anRNase inhibitor. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise aninorganic compound, a metal chelator, a plasticizer, and an RNaseinhibitor. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise aninorganic compound, at least two stabilizing agents, including at leastone metal chelator, and an RNase inhibitor. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise an inorganic compound, at least two stabilizingagents, including a metal chelator, a plasticizer, and an RNaseinhibitor.

In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention furthercomprise biomolecules. Thus, for example, any of the compositionsdescribed herein can further include biomolecules. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise a biological sample that containsbiomolecules, such as a bodily fluid (e.g., blood, serum, cerebrospinalfluid, urine, sputum, semen, etc.), a tissue sample (e.g., a piece ofsolid tissue, such as a tissue biopsy, a tissue homogenate, a hairsample, etc.), a cellular lysate (e.g., a blood cell lysate, a skin celllysate, etc.), or a fraction thereof. In other embodiments, thecompositions comprise a purified or synthetic sample of biomolecules(e.g., a purified or synthetic nucleic acid or protein sample). Incertain embodiments, the storage compositions comprise small moleculesisolated from biological samples (i.e., small molecules that are neithersynthetic nor industrially produced). In certain embodiments, thestorage compositions comprise one or more types of small moleculesselected from the group consisting of lipids, coenzymes, metabolites,pharmaceutical agents, and metabolites of pharmaceutical agents, whereinsaid small molecules were isolated from biological samples.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise genomic DNA. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise DNA having a lengthgreater than about 0.1 kB, 0.2 kB, 0.3 kB, 0.5 kB, 0.75 kB, 1 kB, 5 kB,10 kB, 15 kB, 20 kB, 25 kB, 30 kB, 35 kB, 40 kB, 45 kB, 50 kB, orlonger. In certain embodiments, the compositions safely store genomicDNA such that genomic DNA fragments having a length greater than about0.1 kB, 0.2 kB, 0.3 kB, 0.5 kB, 0.75 kB, 1 kB, 2 kB, 3 kB, 5 kB, 10 kB,15 kB, 20 kB, 25 kB, 30 kB, 35 kB, 40 kB, 45 kB, 50 kB, or longer can berecovered.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise RNA. In certainembodiments, the RNA is present in a crude lysate, a partially purifiedsample, or a purified RNA fraction from a sample. In certainembodiments, the RNA is mRNA. In other embodiments, the RNA is rRNA ortRNA. In other embodiments, the RNA is siRNA. In still otherembodiments, the RNA is total RNA.

In certain embodiments, the ratio of inorganic compound to biomoleculesin the composition is about 20000:1 to about 2:1 by weight. In otherembodiments, the ratio of inorganic compound to biomolecules in thecomposition is about 10000:1 to about 1000:1 by weight. In otherembodiments, the ratio of inorganic compound to biomolecules is about1000:1 to about 100:1 by weight. In other embodiments, the ratio ofinorganic compound to biomolecules is about 100:1 to about 10:1 byweight. In other embodiments, the ratio of inorganic compound tobiomolecules is about 10:1 to about 1:1. In other embodiments, the ratioof inorganic compound to biomolecules is about 5:1 to about 1:5. Inother embodiments, the ratio of inorganic compound to biomolecules inthe composition is about 5000:1 to about 50:1, about 1000:1 to about10:1, about 500:1 to about 5:1, about 100:1 to about 2:1, or about 50:1to about 1:2 by weight. In still other embodiments, the ration ofinorganic compound to biomolecules is about 50:1, about 40:1, about30:1, about 20:1, about 10:1, or about 1:1 by weight.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise a water solubleinorganic compound (e.g., a compound comprising boron, phosphorus,vanadium, or aluminum), a singlet oxygen quencher (e.g., an alkylimidazole, an indole, and/or a sulfur-containing amino acid) and,optionally, biomolecules. In other embodiments, the compositionscomprise a water soluble inorganic compound (e.g., a compound comprisingboron, phosphorus, vanadium, or aluminum), a singlet oxygen quencher(e.g., an alkyl imidazole, an indole, and/or a sulfur-containing aminoacid), a plasticizer (e.g., glycerol, polyvinyl alcohol, trehalose,and/or dextran) and, optionally, biomolecules. In other embodiments, thecompositions comprise a water soluble inorganic compound (e.g., acompound comprising boron, phosphorus, vanadium, or aluminum), a singletoxygen quencher (e.g., an alkyl imidazole, an indole, and/or asulfur-containing amino acid), a plasticizer (e.g., glycerol, polyvinylalcohol, trehalose, and/or dextran), a metal chelator (e.g., EDTA) and,optionally, biomolecules.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise a water solubleinorganic compound (e.g., a compound comprising boron, phosphorus,vanadium, or aluminum), a hydroxyl radical scavenger and, optionally,biomolecules. In other embodiments, the compositions comprise a watersoluble inorganic compound (e.g., a compound comprising boron,phosphorus, vanadium, or aluminum), a hydroxyl radical scavenger, aplasticizer (e.g., glycerol, polyvinyl alcohol, trehalose, and/ordextran) and, optionally, biomolecules. In other embodiments, thecompositions comprise a water soluble inorganic compound (e.g., acompound comprising boron, phosphorus, vanadium, or aluminum), ahydroxyl radical scavenger, a plasticizer (e.g., glycerol, polyvinylalcohol, trehalose, and/or dextran), a metal chelator (e.g., EDTA) and,optionally, biomolecules.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise a water solubleinorganic compound (e.g., a compound comprising boron, phosphorus,vanadium, or aluminum), a hydroperoxide removing agent and, optionally,biomolecules. In other embodiments, the compositions comprise a watersoluble inorganic compound (e.g., a compound comprising boron,phosphorus, vanadium, or aluminum), a hydroperoxide removing agent, aplasticizer (e.g., glycerol, polyvinyl alcohol, trehalose, and/ordextran) and, optionally, biomolecules. In other embodiments, thecompositions comprise a water soluble inorganic compound (e.g., acompound comprising boron, phosphorus, vanadium, or aluminum), ahydroperoxide removing agent, a plasticizer (e.g., glycerol, polyvinylalcohol, trehalose, and/or dextran), a metal chelator (e.g., EDTA) and,optionally, biomolecules.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise a water solubleinorganic compound (e.g., a compound comprising boron, phosphorus,vanadium, or aluminum), a hydroxyl radical scavenger, a hydroperoxideremoving agent and, optionally, biomolecules. In other embodiments, thecompositions comprise a water soluble inorganic compound (e.g., acompound comprising boron, phosphorus, vanadium, or aluminum), ahydroxyl radical scavenger, a hydroperoxide removing agent, aplasticizer (e.g., glycerol, polyvinyl alcohol, trehalose, and/ordextran) and, optionally, biomolecules. In other embodiments, thecompositions comprise a water soluble inorganic compound (e.g., acompound comprising boron, phosphorus, vanadium, or aluminum), ahydroxyl radical scavenger, a hydroperoxide removing agent, aplasticizer (e.g., glycerol, polyvinyl alcohol, trehalose, and/ordextran), a metal chelator (e.g., EDTA) and, optionally, biomolecules.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise boric acid, histidineand, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting ofethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose,sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise boric acid, histidine,methionine and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise boricacid, histidine, tryptophan and, optionally, a plasticizer selected fromthe group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol,erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinylalcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise boric acid, tryptophan and, optionally, a plasticizer selectedfrom the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol,glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran,polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise boric acid, tryptophan, methionine and,optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethyleneglycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose,trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise boric acid, methionineand, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting ofethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose,sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise boric acid, tyrosineand, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting ofethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose,sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise boric acid, ascorbateand, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting ofethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose,sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise boric acid, azide(e.g., sodium azide) and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from thegroup consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol,erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinylalcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise boric acid, tocopherol and, optionally, a plasticizer selectedfrom the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol,glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran,polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise boric acid, carotene and, optionally, aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise boric acid, o-phenanthroline and,optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethyleneglycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose,trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise boric acid, sodium laurylsarcosyl and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise boricacid, guanidium hydrochloride and, optionally, a plasticizer selectedfrom the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol,glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran,polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. Each of the embodiments of thisparagraph can further comprise one or more RNase inhibitors (e.g., anyRNase inhibitor or combination thereof described or suggested herein)and/or biomolecules (e.g., any sample comprising biomolecules, such as abiological sample).

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise borate, histidine and,optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethyleneglycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose,trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise borate, histidine,methionine and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise borate,histidine, tryptophan and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from thegroup consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol,erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinylalcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise borate, tryptophan and, optionally, a plasticizer selected fromthe group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol,erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinylalcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise borate, tryptophan, methionine and, optionally, a plasticizerselected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol,glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran,polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise borate, methionine and, optionally, a plasticizerselected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol,glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran,polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise borate, tyrosine and, optionally, a plasticizerselected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol,glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran,polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise borate, ascorbate and, optionally, a plasticizerselected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol,glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran,polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise borate, azide (e.g., sodium azide) and,optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethyleneglycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose,trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise borate, tocopherol and,optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethyleneglycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose,trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise borate, carotene and,optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethyleneglycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose,trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise borate, o-phenanthrolineand, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting ofethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose,sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise borate, sodium laurylsarcosyl and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise borate,guanidium hydrochloride and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from thegroup consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol,erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinylalcohol and

polyserine. Each of the embodiments of this paragraph can furthercomprise one or more RNase inhibitors (e.g., any RNase inhibitor orcombination thereof described or suggested herein) and/or biomolecules(e.g., any sample comprising biomolecules, such as a biological sample).

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise phosphoric acid,histidine and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise phosphoricacid, histidine, methionine and, optionally, a plasticizer selected fromthe group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol,erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinylalcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise phosphoric acid, histidine, tryptophan and, optionally, aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise phosphoric acid, tryptophan and,optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethyleneglycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose,trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise phosphoric acid,tryptophan, methionine and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from thegroup consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol,erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinylalcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise phosphoric acid, methionine and, optionally, a plasticizerselected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol,glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran,polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise phosphoric acid, tyrosine and, optionally, aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise phosphoric acid, ascorbate and,optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethyleneglycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose,trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise phosphoric acid, azide(e.g., sodium azide) and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from thegroup consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol,erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinylalcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise phosphoric acid, tocopherol and, optionally, a plasticizerselected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol,glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran,polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise phosphoric acid, carotene and, optionally, aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise phosphoric acid, o-phenanthrolineand, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting ofethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose,sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise phosphoric acid,sodium lauryl sarcosyl and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from thegroup consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol,erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinylalcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise phosphoric acid, guanidium hydrochloride and, optionally, aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. Each of theembodiments of this paragraph can further comprise one or more RNaseinhibitors (e.g., any RNase inhibitor or combination thereof describedor suggested herein) and/or biomolecules (e.g., any sample comprisingbiomolecules, such as a biological sample).

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise a salt of phosphoricacid, histidine and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise a salt ofphosphoric acid, histidine, methionine and, optionally, a plasticizerselected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol,glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran,polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise a salt of phosphoric acid, histidine, tryptophanand, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting ofethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose,sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise a salt of phosphoricacid, tryptophan and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise a salt ofphosphoric acid, tryptophan, methionine and, optionally, a plasticizerselected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol,glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran,polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise a salt of phosphoric acid, methionine and,optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethyleneglycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose,trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise a salt of phosphoricacid, tyrosine and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise a salt ofphosphoric acid, ascorbate and, optionally, a plasticizer selected fromthe group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol,erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinylalcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise a salt of phosphoric acid, azide (e.g., sodium azide) and,optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethyleneglycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose,trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise a salt of phosphoricacid, tocopherol and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise a salt ofphosphoric acid, carotene and, optionally, a plasticizer selected fromthe group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol,erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinylalcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise a salt of phosphoric acid, o-phenanthroline and, optionally, aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise a salt of phosphoric acid, sodiumlauryl sarcosyl and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise a salt ofphosphoric acid, guanidium hydrochloride and, optionally, a plasticizerselected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol,glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran,polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. Each of the embodiments of thisparagraph can further comprise one or more RNase inhibitors (e.g., anyRNase inhibitor or combination thereof described or suggested herein)and/or biomolecules (e.g., any sample comprising biomolecules, such as abiological sample).

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise a vanadate salt,histidine and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise a vanadatesalt, histidine, methionine and, optionally, a plasticizer selected fromthe group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol,erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinylalcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise a vanadate salt, histidine, tryptophan and, optionally, aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise a vanadate salt, tryptophan and,optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethyleneglycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose,trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise a vanadate salt,tryptophan, methionine and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from thegroup consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol,erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinylalcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise a vanadate salt, methionine and, optionally, a plasticizerselected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol,glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran,polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise a vanadate salt, tyrosine and, optionally, aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise a vanadate salt, ascorbate and,optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethyleneglycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose,trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise a vanadate salt, azide(e.g., sodium azide) and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from thegroup consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol,erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinylalcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise a vanadate salt, tocopherol and, optionally, a plasticizerselected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol,glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran,polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise a vanadate salt, carotene and, optionally, aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise a vanadate salt, o-phenanthrolineand, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting ofethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose,sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise a vanadate salt,sodium lauryl sarcosyl and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from thegroup consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol,erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinylalcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise a vanadate salt, guanidium hydrochloride and, optionally, aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. Each of theembodiments of this paragraph can further comprise one or more RNaseinhibitors (e.g., any RNase inhibitor or combination thereof describedor suggested herein) and/or biomolecules (e.g., any sample comprisingbiomolecules, such as a biological sample).

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise potassium alum,histidine and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise potassiumalum, histidine, methionine and, optionally, a plasticizer selected fromthe group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol,erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinylalcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise potassium alum, histidine, tryptophan and, optionally, aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise potassium alum, tryptophan and,optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethyleneglycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose,trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise potassium alum,tryptophan, methionine and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from thegroup consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol,erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinylalcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise potassium alum, methionine and, optionally, a plasticizerselected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol,glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran,polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise potassium alum, tyrosine and, optionally, aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise potassium alum, ascorbate and,optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethyleneglycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose,trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise potassium alum, azide(e.g., sodium azide) and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from thegroup consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol,erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinylalcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise potassium alum, tocopherol and, optionally, a plasticizerselected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol,glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran,polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise potassium alum, carotene and, optionally, aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise potassium alum, o-phenanthrolineand, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting ofethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose,sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise potassium alum, sodiumlauryl sarcosyl and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise potassiumalum, guanidium hydrochloride and, optionally, a plasticizer selectedfrom the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol,glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran,polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. Each of the embodiments of thisparagraph can further comprise one or more RNase inhibitors (e.g., anyRNase inhibitor or combination thereof described or suggested herein)and/or biomolecules (e.g., any sample comprising biomolecules, such as abiological sample).

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise soda alum, histidineand, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting ofethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose,sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise soda alum, histidine,methionine and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise soda alum,histidine, tryptophan and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from thegroup consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol,erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinylalcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise soda alum, tryptophan and, optionally, a plasticizer selectedfrom the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol,glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran,polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise soda alum, tryptophan, methionine and, optionally,a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise soda alum, methionine and,optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethyleneglycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose,trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise soda alum, tyrosine and,optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethyleneglycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose,trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise soda alum, ascorbate and,optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethyleneglycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose,trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise soda alum, azide (e.g.,sodium azide) and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise soda alum,tocopherol and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise soda alum,carotene and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise soda alum,o-phenanthroline and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise soda alum,sodium lauryl sarcosyl and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from thegroup consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol,erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinylalcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise soda alum, guanidium hydrochloride and, optionally, aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. Each of theembodiments of this paragraph can further comprise one or more RNaseinhibitors (e.g., any RNase inhibitor or combination thereof describedor suggested herein) and/or biomolecules (e.g., any sample comprisingbiomolecules, such as a biological sample).

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise ammonium alum,histidine and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise ammoniumalum, histidine, methionine and, optionally, a plasticizer selected fromthe group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol,erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinylalcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise ammonium alum, histidine, tryptophan and, optionally, aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise ammonium alum, tryptophan and,optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethyleneglycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose,trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise ammonium alum,tryptophan, methionine and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from thegroup consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol,erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinylalcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise ammonium alum, methionine and, optionally, a plasticizerselected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol,glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran,polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise ammonium alum, tyrosine and, optionally, aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise ammonium alum, ascorbate and,optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethyleneglycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose,trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise ammonium alum, azide(e.g., sodium azide) and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from thegroup consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol,erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinylalcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise ammonium alum, tocopherol and, optionally, a plasticizerselected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol,glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran,polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise ammonium alum, carotene and, optionally, aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise ammonium alum, o-phenanthrolineand, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting ofethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose,sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise ammonium alum, sodiumlauryl sarcosyl and, optionally, a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise ammoniumalum, guanidium hydrochloride and, optionally, a plasticizer selectedfrom the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol,glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran,polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. Each of the embodiments of thisparagraph can further comprise one or more RNase inhibitors (e.g., anyRNase inhibitor or combination thereof described or suggested herein)and/or biomolecules (e.g., any sample comprising biomolecules, such as abiological sample).

In certain embodiments, the inorganic compounds of the foregoingcompositions (e.g., boric acid, borate, phosphoric acid, salts ofphosphoric acid, vanadate salts, potassium alum, soda alum, and ammoniumalum) are in an aqueous medium (e.g., either before or after being mixedwith a sample) and have a concentration of about 5 mM to about 500 mM,about 6 mM to about 400 mM, about 7 mM to about 300 mM, about 8 mM toabout 250 mM, about 9 mM to about 200 mM, about 10 mM to about 150 mM,about 20 mM to about 140 mM, about 30 mM to about 130 mM, about 40 mM toabout 120 mM, about 50 mM to about 110 mM, about 60 mM to about 100 mM,about 70 mM to about 90 mM, or about 80 mM. In certain embodiments, thestabilizers of the foregoing compositions (e.g., histidine, tryptophan,methionine, tyrosine, ascorbate, sodium azide, tocopherol, carotene,o-phenanthroline, sodium lauryl sarcosyl, and guanidium HCl) are in anaqueous medium (e.g., either before or after being mixed with a sample)and have a concentration of about 1 mM to about 250 mM, about 2 mM toabout 200 mM, about 3 mM to about 150 mM, about 4 mM to about 100 mM,about 5 mM to about 75 mM, about 10 mM to about 50 mM, about 15 mM toabout 45 mM, about 20 mM to about 40 mM, about 25 mM to about 35 mM, orabout 30 mM. In certain embodiments, the plasticizers of the foregoingcompositions (e.g., ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol,erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinylalcohol and polyserine) are in an aqueous medium (e.g., either before orafter being mixed with a sample) and have a concentration of about 0.01%to about 8.0%, about 0.02% to about 5.0%, about 0.03% to about 2.0%,about 0.04% to about 1.5%, about 0.05% to about 1%, or about 0.06% toabout 0.5%.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise boric acid anddimethyl sulfoxide. In certain embodiments, the compositions compriseboric acid, dimethyl sulfoxide, and catalase. In certain embodiments,the compositions comprise boric acid, dimethyl sulfoxide, and pyruvate.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise boric acid, dimethylsulfoxide, and glutathione. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise boric acid, dimethyl sulfoxide, and a glutathione peroxidase.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise boric acid andhistidine. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise boric acid,histidine, and catalase. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise boric acid, histidine, and pyruvate. In certain embodiments,the compositions comprise boric acid, histidine, and glutathione. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise boric acid, histidine,and a glutathione peroxidase. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise boric acid and mannitol. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise boric acid, mannitol, and catalase. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise boric acid, mannitol, andpyruvate. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise boric acid,mannitol, and glutathione. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise boric acid, mannitol, and a glutathione peroxidase. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise boric acid and sucrose. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise boric acid, sucrose, andcatalase. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise boric acid,sucrose, and pyruvate. In certain embodiments, the compositions compriseboric acid, sucrose, and glutathione. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise boric acid, sucrose, and a glutathione peroxidase.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise boric acid andglucose. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise boric acid,glucose, and catalase. In certain embodiments, the compositions compriseboric acid, glucose, and pyruvate. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise boric acid, glucose, and glutathione. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise boric acid, glucose, and aglutathione peroxidase. Each of the embodiments of this paragraph canfurther comprise one or more RNase inhibitors (e.g., any RNase inhibitoror combination thereof described or suggested herein) and/orbiomolecules (e.g., any sample comprising biomolecules, such as abiological sample).

In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise EDTA. In certain embodiments, thecompositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseEDTA and glycerol. In certain embodiments, the compositions of theimmediately foregoing paragraph further comprise EDTA and trehalose. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise EDTA and dextran. In certain embodiments, thecompositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseEDTA and polyvinyl alcohol. In certain embodiments, the compositions ofthe immediately foregoing paragraph further comprise EGTA. In certainembodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraphfurther comprise EGTA and glycerol. In certain embodiments, thecompositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseEGTA and trehalose. In certain embodiments, the compositions of theimmediately foregoing paragraph further comprise EGTA and dextran. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise EGTA and polyvinyl alcohol. In certainembodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraphfurther comprise o-phenanthroline. In certain embodiments, thecompositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseo-phenanthroline and glycerol. In certain embodiments, the compositionsof the immediately foregoing paragraph further comprise o-phenanthrolineand trehalose. In certain embodiments, the compositions of theimmediately foregoing paragraph further comprise o-phenanthroline anddextran. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise o-phenanthroline and polyvinylalcohol. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise EDTA and citrate. In certainembodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraphfurther comprise EDTA, citrate, and glycerol. In certain embodiments,the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseEDTA, citrate, and trehalose. In certain embodiments, the compositionsof the immediately foregoing paragraph further comprise EDTA, citrate,and dextran. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise EDTA, citrate, and polyvinylalcohol. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise EGTA and citrate. In certainembodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraphfurther comprise EGTA, citrate, and glycerol. In certain embodiments,the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseEGTA, citrate, and trehalose. In certain embodiments, the compositionsof the immediately foregoing paragraph further comprise EGTA, citrate,and dextran. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise EGTA, citrate, and polyvinylalcohol. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise o-phenanthroline and citrate. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise o-phenanthroline, citrate, and glycerol. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise o-phenanthroline, citrate, and trehalose. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise o-phenanthroline, citrate, and dextran. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise o-phenanthroline, citrate, and polyvinylalcohol.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise borate and dimethylsulfoxide. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise borate,dimethyl sulfoxide, and catalase. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise borate, dimethyl sulfoxide, and pyruvate. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise borate, dimethylsulfoxide, and glutathione. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise borate, dimethyl sulfoxide, and a glutathione peroxidase. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise borate and histidine. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise borate, histidine, andcatalase. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise borate,histidine, and pyruvate. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise borate, histidine, and glutathione. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise borate, histidine, and a glutathione peroxidase.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise borate and mannitol.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise borate, mannitol, andcatalase. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise borate,mannitol, and pyruvate. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise borate, mannitol, and glutathione. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise borate, mannitol, and a glutathione peroxidase. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise borate and sucrose. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise borate, sucrose, andcatalase. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise borate,sucrose, and pyruvate. In certain embodiments, the compositions compriseborate, sucrose, and glutathione. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise borate, sucrose, and a glutathione peroxidase. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise borate and glucose. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise borate, glucose, andcatalase. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise borate,glucose, and pyruvate. In certain embodiments, the compositions compriseborate, glucose, and glutathione. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise borate, glucose, and a glutathione peroxidase.Each of the embodiments of this paragraph can further comprise an RNaseinhibitor (e.g., any RNase inhibitor described or suggested herein)and/or biomolecules (e.g., any sample comprising biomolecules, such as abiological sample).

In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise EDTA. In certain embodiments, thecompositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseEDTA and glycerol. In certain embodiments, the compositions of theimmediately foregoing paragraph further comprise EDTA and trehalose. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise EDTA and dextran. In certain embodiments, thecompositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseEDTA and polyvinyl alcohol. In certain embodiments, the compositions ofthe immediately foregoing paragraph further comprise EGTA. In certainembodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraphfurther comprise EGTA and glycerol. In certain embodiments, thecompositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseEGTA and trehalose. In certain embodiments, the compositions of theimmediately foregoing paragraph further comprise EGTA and dextran. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise EGTA and polyvinyl alcohol. In certainembodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraphfurther comprise o-phenanthroline. In certain embodiments, thecompositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseo-phenanthroline and glycerol. In certain embodiments, the compositionsof the immediately foregoing paragraph further comprise o-phenanthrolineand trehalose. In certain embodiments, the compositions of theimmediately foregoing paragraph further comprise o-phenanthroline anddextran. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise o-phenanthroline and polyvinylalcohol. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise EDTA and citrate. In certainembodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraphfurther comprise EDTA, citrate, and glycerol. In certain embodiments,the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseEDTA, citrate, and trehalose. In certain embodiments, the compositionsof the immediately foregoing paragraph further comprise EDTA, citrate,and dextran. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise EDTA, citrate, and polyvinylalcohol. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise EGTA and citrate. In certainembodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraphfurther comprise EGTA, citrate, and glycerol. In certain embodiments,the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseEGTA, citrate, and trehalose. In certain embodiments, the compositionsof the immediately foregoing paragraph further comprise EGTA, citrate,and dextran. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise EGTA, citrate, and polyvinylalcohol. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise o-phenanthroline and citrate. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise o-phenanthroline, citrate, and glycerol. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise o-phenanthroline, citrate, and trehalose. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise o-phenanthroline, citrate, and dextran. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise o-phenanthroline, citrate, and polyvinylalcohol.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise phosphoric acid or asalt thereof and dimethyl sulfoxide. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise phosphoric acid or a salt thereof, dimethylsulfoxide, and catalase. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise phosphoric acid or a salt thereof, dimethyl sulfoxide, andpyruvate. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise phosphoricacid or a salt thereof, dimethyl sulfoxide, and glutathione. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise phosphoric acid or a saltthereof, dimethyl sulfoxide, and a glutathione peroxidase. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise phosphoric acid or a salt thereofand histidine. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprisephosphoric acid or a salt thereof, histidine, and catalase. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise phosphoric acid or a saltthereof, histidine, and pyruvate. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise phosphoric acid or a salt thereof, histidine, andglutathione. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprisephosphoric acid or a salt thereof, histidine, and a glutathioneperoxidase. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise phosphoricacid or a salt thereof and mannitol. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise phosphoric acid or a salt thereof, mannitol, andcatalase. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise phosphoricacid or a salt thereof, mannitol, and pyruvate. In certain embodiments,the compositions comprise phosphoric acid or a salt thereof, mannitol,and glutathione. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprisephosphoric acid or a salt thereof, mannitol, and a glutathioneperoxidase. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise phosphoricacid or a salt thereof and sucrose. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise phosphoric acid or a salt thereof, sucrose, andcatalase. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise phosphoricacid or a salt thereof, sucrose, and pyruvate. In certain embodiments,the compositions comprise phosphoric acid or a salt thereof, sucrose,and glutathione. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprisephosphoric acid or a salt thereof, sucrose, and a glutathioneperoxidase. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise phosphoricacid or a salt thereof and glucose. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise phosphoric acid or a salt thereof, glucose, andcatalase. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise phosphoricacid or a salt thereof, glucose, and pyruvate. In certain embodiments,the compositions comprise phosphoric acid or a salt thereof, glucose,and glutathione. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprisephosphoric acid or a salt thereof, glucose, and a glutathioneperoxidase. Each of the embodiments of this paragraph can furthercomprise one or more RNase inhibitors (e.g., any RNase inhibitor orcombination thereof described or suggested herein) and/or biomolecules(e.g., any sample comprising biomolecules, such as a biological sample).

In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise EDTA. In certain embodiments, thecompositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseEDTA and glycerol. In certain embodiments, the compositions of theimmediately foregoing paragraph further comprise EDTA and trehalose. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise EDTA and dextran. In certain embodiments, thecompositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseEDTA and polyvinyl alcohol. In certain embodiments, the compositions ofthe immediately foregoing paragraph further comprise EGTA. In certainembodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraphfurther comprise EGTA and glycerol. In certain embodiments, thecompositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseEGTA and trehalose. In certain embodiments, the compositions of theimmediately foregoing paragraph further comprise EGTA and dextran. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise EGTA and polyvinyl alcohol. In certainembodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraphfurther comprise o-phenanthroline. In certain embodiments, thecompositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseo-phenanthroline and glycerol. In certain embodiments, the compositionsof the immediately foregoing paragraph further comprise o-phenanthrolineand trehalose. In certain embodiments, the compositions of theimmediately foregoing paragraph further comprise o-phenanthroline anddextran. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise o-phenanthroline and polyvinylalcohol. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise EDTA and citrate. In certainembodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraphfurther comprise EDTA, citrate, and glycerol. In certain embodiments,the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseEDTA, citrate, and trehalose. In certain embodiments, the compositionsof the immediately foregoing paragraph further comprise EDTA, citrate,and dextran. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise EDTA, citrate, and polyvinylalcohol. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise EGTA and citrate. In certainembodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraphfurther comprise EGTA, citrate, and glycerol. In certain embodiments,the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseEGTA, citrate, and trehalose. In certain embodiments, the compositionsof the immediately foregoing paragraph further comprise EGTA, citrate,and dextran. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise EGTA, citrate, and polyvinylalcohol. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise o-phenanthroline and citrate. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise o-phenanthroline, citrate, and glycerol. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise o-phenanthroline, citrate, and trehalose. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise o-phenanthroline, citrate, and dextran. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise o-phenanthroline, citrate, and polyvinylalcohol.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise a vanadate salt anddimethyl sulfoxide. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise avanadate salt, dimethyl sulfoxide, and catalase. In certain embodiments,the compositions comprise a vanadate salt, dimethyl sulfoxide, andpyruvate. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise a vanadatesalt, dimethyl sulfoxide, and glutathione. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise a vanadate salt, dimethyl sulfoxide, and aglutathione peroxidase. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise a vanadate salt and histidine. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise a vanadate salt, histidine, and catalase. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise a vanadate salt,histidine, and pyruvate. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise a vanadate salt, histidine, and glutathione. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise a vanadate salt, histidine, and aglutathione peroxidase. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise a vanadate salt and mannitol. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise a vanadate salt, mannitol, and catalase. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise a vanadate salt,mannitol, and pyruvate. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise a vanadate salt, mannitol, and glutathione. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise a vanadate salt, mannitol, and aglutathione peroxidase. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise a vanadate salt and sucrose. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise a vanadate salt, sucrose, and catalase. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise a vanadate salt, sucrose, andpyruvate. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise a vanadatesalt, sucrose, and glutathione. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise a vanadate salt, sucrose, and a glutathione peroxidase. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise a vanadate salt andglucose. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise a vanadatesalt, glucose, and catalase. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise a vanadate salt, glucose, and pyruvate. In certain embodiments,the compositions comprise a vanadate salt, glucose, and glutathione. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise a vanadate salt, glucose,and a glutathione peroxidase. Each of the embodiments of this paragraphcan further comprise one or more RNase inhibitors (e.g., any RNaseinhibitor or combination thereof described or suggested herein) and/orbiomolecules (e.g., any sample comprising biomolecules, such as abiological sample).

In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise EDTA. In certain embodiments, thecompositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseEDTA and glycerol. In certain embodiments, the compositions of theimmediately foregoing paragraph further comprise EDTA and trehalose. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise EDTA and dextran. In certain embodiments, thecompositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseEDTA and polyvinyl alcohol. In certain embodiments, the compositions ofthe immediately foregoing paragraph further comprise EGTA. In certainembodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraphfurther comprise EGTA and glycerol. In certain embodiments, thecompositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseEGTA and trehalose. In certain embodiments, the compositions of theimmediately foregoing paragraph further comprise EGTA and dextran. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise EGTA and polyvinyl alcohol. In certainembodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraphfurther comprise o-phenanthroline. In certain embodiments, thecompositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseo-phenanthroline and glycerol. In certain embodiments, the compositionsof the immediately foregoing paragraph further comprise o-phenanthrolineand trehalose. In certain embodiments, the compositions of theimmediately foregoing paragraph further comprise o-phenanthroline anddextran. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise o-phenanthroline and polyvinylalcohol. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise EDTA and citrate. In certainembodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraphfurther comprise EDTA, citrate, and glycerol. In certain embodiments,the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseEDTA, citrate, and trehalose. In certain embodiments, the compositionsof the immediately foregoing paragraph further comprise EDTA, citrate,and dextran. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise EDTA, citrate, and polyvinylalcohol. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise EGTA and citrate. In certainembodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraphfurther comprise EGTA, citrate, and glycerol. In certain embodiments,the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseEGTA, citrate, and trehalose. In certain embodiments, the compositionsof the immediately foregoing paragraph further comprise EGTA, citrate,and dextran. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise EGTA, citrate, and polyvinylalcohol. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise o-phenanthroline and citrate. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise o-phenanthroline, citrate, and glycerol. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise o-phenanthroline, citrate, and trehalose. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise o-phenanthroline, citrate, and dextran. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise o-phenanthroline, citrate, and polyvinylalcohol.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise an alum (e.g.,potassium alum, soda allum, or ammonium alum) and dimethyl sulfoxide. Incertain embodiments, the compositions comprise an alum, dimethylsulfoxide, and catalase. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise an alum, dimethyl sulfoxide, and pyruvate. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise an alum, dimethyl sulfoxide, andglutathione. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise an alum,dimethyl sulfoxide, and a glutathione peroxidase. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise an alum (e.g., potassium alum,soda allum, or ammonium alum) and histidine. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise an alum, histidine, and catalase. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise an alum, histidine, and pyruvate.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise an alum, histidine,and glutathione. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise analum, histidine, and a glutathione peroxidase. In certain embodiments,the compositions comprise an alum (e.g., potassium alum, soda allum, orammonium alum) and mannitol. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise an alum, mannitol, and catalase. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise an alum, mannitol, and pyruvate. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise an alum, mannitol, andglutathione. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise an alum,mannitol, and a glutathione peroxidase. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise an alum (e.g., potassium alum, soda allum, orammonium alum) and sucrose. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise an alum, sucrose, and catalase. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise an alum, sucrose, and pyruvate. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise an alum, sucrose, andglutathione. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise an alum,sucrose, and a glutathione peroxidase. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise an alum (e.g., potassium alum, soda allum, orammonium alum) and glucose. In certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise an alum, glucose, and catalase. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise an alum, glucose, and pyruvate. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise an alum, glucose, andglutathione. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise an alum,glucose, and a glutathione peroxidase. Each of the embodiments of thisparagraph can further comprise one or more RNase inhibitors (e.g., anyRNase inhibitor or combination thereof described or suggested herein)and/or biomolecules (e.g., any sample comprising biomolecules, such as abiological sample).

In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise EDTA. In certain embodiments, thecompositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseEDTA and glycerol. In certain embodiments, the compositions of theimmediately foregoing paragraph further comprise EDTA and trehalose. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise EDTA and dextran. In certain embodiments, thecompositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseEDTA and polyvinyl alcohol. In certain embodiments, the compositions ofthe immediately foregoing paragraph further comprise EGTA. In certainembodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraphfurther comprise EGTA and glycerol. In certain embodiments, thecompositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseEGTA and trehalose. In certain embodiments, the compositions of theimmediately foregoing paragraph further comprise EGTA and dextran. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise EGTA and polyvinyl alcohol. In certainembodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraphfurther comprise o-phenanthroline. In certain embodiments, thecompositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseo-phenanthroline and glycerol. In certain embodiments, the compositionsof the immediately foregoing paragraph further comprise o-phenanthrolineand trehalose. In certain embodiments, the compositions of theimmediately foregoing paragraph further comprise o-phenanthroline anddextran. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise o-phenanthroline and polyvinylalcohol. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise EDTA and citrate. In certainembodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraphfurther comprise EDTA, citrate, and glycerol. In certain embodiments,the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseEDTA, citrate, and trehalose. In certain embodiments, the compositionsof the immediately foregoing paragraph further comprise EDTA, citrate,and dextran. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise EDTA, citrate, and polyvinylalcohol. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise EGTA and citrate. In certainembodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraphfurther comprise EGTA, citrate, and glycerol. In certain embodiments,the compositions of the immediately foregoing paragraph further compriseEGTA, citrate, and trehalose. In certain embodiments, the compositionsof the immediately foregoing paragraph further comprise EGTA, citrate,and dextran. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise EGTA, citrate, and polyvinylalcohol. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the immediatelyforegoing paragraph further comprise o-phenanthroline and citrate. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise o-phenanthroline, citrate, and glycerol. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise o-phenanthroline, citrate, and trehalose. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise o-phenanthroline, citrate, and dextran. Incertain embodiments, the compositions of the immediately foregoingparagraph further comprise o-phenanthroline, citrate, and polyvinylalcohol.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic compounds of the foregoingcompositions (e.g., boric acid, borate, phosphoric acid or saltsthereof, vanadate salts, alums) are in an aqueous medium (e.g., eitherbefore or after being mixed with a sample) and have a concentration ofabout 5 mM to about 500 mM, about 5.5 mM to about 400 mM, about 6 mM toabout 300 mM, about 6.5 mM to about 250 mM, about 7 mM to about 200 mM,about 7.5 mM to about 150 mM, about 8 mM to about 140 mM, about 8.5 mMto about 130 mM, about 9 mM to about 120 mM, about 9.5 mM to about 110mM, about 10 mM to about 100 mM, about 10.1 mM to about 90 mM, about10.2 mM to about 80 mM, about 10.3 mM to about 70 mM, about 10.4 mM toabout 60 mM, about 10.5 mM to about 50 mM, about 10.6 mM to about 40 mM,about 10.7 mM to about 30 mM, about 10.8 mM to about 25 mM, about 10.9mM to about 20 mM, about 11 mM to about 15 mM, or about 12.5 mM. Incertain embodiments, the stabilizers of the foregoing compositions(e.g., dimethyl sulfoxide, histidine, mannitol, catalase, pyruvate,glutathione, and glutathione peroxidases) are in an aqueous medium(e.g., either before or after being mixed with a sample) and have aconcentration of about 1.0 mM to about 250 mM, about 1.5 mM to about 200mM, about 2.0 mM to about 150 mM, about 2.5 mM to about 100 mM, about3.0 mM to about 75 mM, about 3.5 mM to about 50 mM, about 4.0 mM toabout 40 mM, about 4.5 mM to about 30 mM, about 5.0 mM to about 20 mM,about 5.5 mM to about 10 mM, about 6.0 mM to about 7.5 mM, or about 6.25mM.

In certain embodiments, the metal chelators of the foregoingcompositions (e.g., EDTA, EGTA) are in an aqueous medium (e.g., eitherbefore or after being mixed with a sample) and have a concentration ofabout 0.01 mM to about 50 mM, about 0.02 mM to about 45 mM, about 0.03mM to about 40 mM, about 0.04 mM to about 35 mM, about 0.05 mM to about30 mM, about 0.06 mM to about 25 mM, about 0.07 mM to about 20 mM, about0.08 to about 15 mM, about 0.09 mM to about 10 mM, about 0.1 mM to about5 mM, or about 0.1 mM. In certain embodiments, the metal chelators ofthe foregoing compositions (e.g., citrate) are in an aqueous medium(e.g., either before or after being mixed with a sample) and have aconcentration of about 0.01 mM to about 200 mM, about 0.02 mM to about180 mM, about 0.03 mM to about 160 mM, about 0.04 mM to about 140 mM,about 0.05 mM to about 120 mM, about 0.06 mM to about 100 mM, about 0.07mM to about 80 mM, about 0.08 to about 60 mM, about 0.09 mM to about 40mM, about 0.1 mM to about 20 mM, about 0.1 mM to about 15 mM, about 0.1mM to about 10 mM, about 0.2 mM to about 9 mM, about 0.3 mM to about 8mM, about 0.4 mM to about 7 mM, about 0.5 mM to about 6 mM, about 0.6 mMto about 5 mM, about 0.7 mM to about 4 mM, about 0.8 mM to about 3 mM,about 0.9 mM to about 2 mM, about 1.0 mM to about 1.5 mM, or about 1.25mM. In certain embodiments, the plasticizers of the foregoingcompositions (e.g., glycerol, trehalose, dextran, and polyvinyl alcohol)are in an aqueous medium (e.g., either before or after being mixed witha sample) and have a concentration of about 0.01% to about 8.0%, about0.02% to about 5.0%, about 0.03% to about 2.0%, about 0.04% to about1.5%, about 0.05% to about 1%, or about 0.06% to about 0.5%.

In another aspect, the invention provides compositions comprising astabilizer. The stabilizer can be any stabilizer disclosed or suggestedherein (e.g., a singlet oxygen quencher, a hydroxyl radical scavenger, ahydroperoxide removing agent, a reducing agent, a metal chelator, adetergent, a chaotrope, or any combination thereof). In certainembodiments, the stabilizer is a singlet oxygen quencher. The singletoxygen quencher can be any singlet oxygen quencher described orsuggested herein. In other embodiments, the stabilizer is a hydroxylradical scavenger. The hydroxyl radical scavenger can be any hydroxylradical scavenger described or suggested herein. In still otherembodiments, the stabilizer can be a hydroperoxide removing agent. Thehydroperoxide removing agent can be any hydroperoxide removing agentdescribed or suggested herein.

In certain embodiments, the compositions further comprise an inorganicsalt, a plasticizer, or a combination thereof. The inorganic salt can beany inorganic salt disclosed or suggested herein. Thus, in certainembodiments, the compositions comprise a stabilizer and an inorganicsalt. In certain embodiment, the inorganic salt comprises an elementfrom the first Group (e.g., Group IA) of the Period Table of Elements.In certain embodiments, the inorganic salt is sodium chloride. In otherembodiments, the inorganic salt is potassium chloride. In certainembodiments, the ratio of stabilizer (e.g., singlet oxygen quencher,hydroxyl radical scavenger, hydroperoxide removing agent) to inorganicsalt is about 20:1 to about 1:20, about 15:1 to about 1:15, about 10:1to about 1:10, about 7:1 to about 1:7, about 5:1 to about 1:5, about 4:1to about 1:4, about 3:1 to about 1:3, about 2:1 to about 1:2, or about1:1.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise a stabilizer and aplasticizer. The plasticizer can be any plasticizer described orsuggested herein (e.g., a monosaccharide, disaccharide, complex sugar,long-chain poly-alcohol, or a short-chain poly-alcohol). In certainembodiments, the plasticizer is a linear or branched short-chainpoly-alcohol (e.g., glycerol). In certain embodiments, the plasticizeris glycerol. In certain embodiments, the plasticizer is a monosaccharide(e.g., glucose). In other embodiments, the plasticizer is a disaccharide(e.g., sucrose, trehalose, or mannose). In other embodiments, theplasticizer is a complex sugar (e.g., ficol or dextran (e.g.,short-chain dextran having a MW less than 10 kD)). In certainembodiments, the ratio of stabilizer to plasticizer is about 20:1 toabout 1:20, about 15:1 to about 1:15, about 10:1 to about 1:10, about7:1 to about 1:7, about 5:1 to about 1:5, about 4:1 to about 1:4, about3:1 to about 1:3, about 2:1 to about 1:2.

In certain embodiments, the compositions further comprise one or moreRNase inhibitors. Thus, in certain embodiments, the compositionscomprise a stabilizer, either an inorganic salt or a plasticizer (or acombination thereof), and one or more RNase inhibitors. The RNaseinhibitors can be any RNase inhibitors disclosed or suggested herein.

In certain embodiments, the compositions further comprise biomolecules.The biomolecules can be any biomolecules described or suggested herein.In certain embodiments, the ratio of stabilizer (e.g., singlet oxygenquencher, hydroxyl radical scavenger, hydroperoxide removing agent) tobiomolecules in the composition is about 20000:1 to about 2:1, about10000:1 to about 1000:1, about 1000:1 to about 100:1, about 100:1 toabout 10:1, or about 10:1 to about 1:1. In other embodiments, the ratioof stabilizer (e.g., singlet oxygen quencher, hydroxyl radicalscavenger, hydroperoxide removing agent) to biomolecules in thecomposition is about 5000:1 to about 50:1, about 1000:1 to about 10:1,about 500:1 to about 5:1, about 100:1 to about 2:1, about 50:1 to about1:2. In still other embodiments, the ration of inorganic compound tobiomolecules is about 50:1, about 40:1, about 30:1, about 20:1, about10:1, or about 1:1 by weight.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise a singlet oxygenquencher (e.g., an alkyl imidazole) in combination with an inorganicsalt, a plasticizer, or a combination thereof. The inorganic salt andthe plasticizer can be any inorganic salt and plasticizer disclosed orsuggested herein. In certain embodiments, the composition furthercomprises an additional stabilizer. For example, in certain embodiments,the additional stabilizer is a second singlet oxygen quencher (e.g., anindole or a sulfur-containing amino acid). In other embodiments, theadditional stabilizer is a stabilizer other than a singlet oxygenquencher (e.g., a hydroxyl radical scavenger, a hydroperoxide removingagent, a metal chelator, or any combination thereof). The additionalstabilizer can be any stabilizer disclosed herein. In certainembodiments, the composition further comprises one or more RNaseinhibitors, biomolecules, or a combination thereof. The RNase inhibitorsand biomolecules can be any RNase inhibitors and biomolecules disclosedherein.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise a hydroxyl radicalscavenger in combination with an inorganic salt, a plasticizer, or acombination thereof. The inorganic salt and the plasticizer can be anyinorganic salt and plasticizer disclosed or suggested herein. In certainembodiments, the composition further comprises an additional stabilizer.For example, in certain embodiments, the additional stabilizer is asecond hydroxyl radical scavenger. In other embodiments, the additionalstabilizer is a stabilizer other than a hydroxyl radical scavenger(e.g., a singlet oxygen quencher, a hydroperoxide removing agent, ametal chelator, or any combination thereof). The additional stabilizercan be any stabilizer disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, thecomposition further comprises one or more RNase inhibitors,biomolecules, or a combination thereof. The RNase inhibitors andbiomolecules can be any RNase inhibitors and biomolecules disclosedherein.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise a hydroperoxideremoving agent in combination with an inorganic salt, a plasticizer, ora combination thereof. The inorganic salt and the plasticizer can be anyinorganic salt and plasticizer disclosed or suggested herein. In certainembodiments, the composition further comprises an additional stabilizer.For example, in certain embodiments, the additional stabilizer is asecond hydroperoxide removing agent. In other embodiments, theadditional stabilizer is a stabilizer other than a hydroperoxideremoving agent (e.g., a singlet oxygen quencher, a hydroxyl radicalscavenger, a metal chelator, or any combination thereof). The additionalstabilizer can be any stabilizer disclosed herein. In certainembodiments, the composition further comprises one or more RNaseinhibitors, biomolecules, or a combination thereof. The RNase inhibitorsand biomolecules can be any RNase inhibitors and biomolecules disclosedherein.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise histidine and aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise histidine, sodium chloride and,optionally, and a plasticizer selected from the group consisting ofethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose,sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise histidine, potassiumchloride and, optionally, and a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. Each of the embodiments of this paragraph can furthercomprise one or more metal chelators (e.g., EDTA, EGTA,o-phenanthroline, and/or citrate), one or more RNase inhibitors (e.g.,any RNase inhibitor or combination thereof described or suggestedherein), biomolecules (e.g., any sample comprising biomolecules, such asa biological sample), or any combination thereof.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise tryptophan and aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise tryptophan, sodium chloride and,optionally, and a plasticizer selected from the group consisting ofethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose,sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise tryptophan, potassiumchloride and, optionally, and a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. Each of the embodiments of this paragraph can furthercomprise one or more metal chelators (e.g., EDTA, EGTA,o-phenanthroline, and/or citrate), one or more RNase inhibitors (e.g.,any RNase inhibitor or combination thereof described or suggestedherein), biomolecules (e.g., any sample comprising biomolecules, such asa biological sample), or any combination thereof.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise methionine and aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise methionine, sodium chloride and,optionally, and a plasticizer selected from the group consisting ofethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose,sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise methionine, potassiumchloride and, optionally, and a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. Each of the embodiments of this paragraph can furthercomprise one or more metal chelators (e.g., EDTA, EGTA,o-phenanthroline, and/or citrate), one or more RNase inhibitors (e.g.,any RNase inhibitor or combination thereof described or suggestedherein), biomolecules (e.g., any sample comprising biomolecules, such asa biological sample), or any combination thereof.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise tyrosine and aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise tyrosine, sodium chloride and,optionally, and a plasticizer selected from the group consisting ofethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose,sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise tyrosine, potassiumchloride and, optionally, and a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. Each of the embodiments of this paragraph can furthercomprise one or more metal chelators (e.g., EDTA, EGTA,o-phenanthroline, and/or citrate), one or more RNase inhibitors (e.g.,any RNase inhibitor or combination thereof described or suggestedherein), biomolecules (e.g., any sample comprising biomolecules, such asa biological sample), or any combination thereof.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise ascorbate and aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise ascorbate, sodium chloride and,optionally, and a plasticizer selected from the group consisting ofethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose,sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise ascorbate, potassiumchloride and, optionally, and a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. Each of the embodiments of this paragraph can furthercomprise one or more metal chelators (e.g., EDTA, EGTA,o-phenanthroline, and/or citrate), one or more RNase inhibitors (e.g.,any RNase inhibitor or combination thereof described or suggestedherein), biomolecules (e.g., any sample comprising biomolecules, such asa biological sample), or any combination thereof.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise azide and aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise azide, sodium chloride and,optionally, and a plasticizer selected from the group consisting ofethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose,sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise azide, potassiumchloride and, optionally, and a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. Each of the embodiments of this paragraph can furthercomprise one or more metal chelators (e.g., EDTA, EGTA,o-phenanthroline, and/or citrate), one or more RNase inhibitors (e.g.,any RNase inhibitor or combination thereof described or suggestedherein), biomolecules (e.g., any sample comprising biomolecules, such asa biological sample), or any combination thereof.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise tocopherol and aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise tocopherol, sodium chloride and,optionally, and a plasticizer selected from the group consisting ofethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose,sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise tocopherol, potassiumchloride and, optionally, and a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. Each of the embodiments of this paragraph can furthercomprise one or more metal chelators (e.g., EDTA, EGTA,o-phenanthroline, and/or citrate), one or more RNase inhibitors (e.g.,any RNase inhibitor or combination thereof described or suggestedherein), biomolecules (e.g., any sample comprising biomolecules, such asa biological sample), or any combination thereof.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise carotene and aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise carotene, sodium chloride and,optionally, and a plasticizer selected from the group consisting ofethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose,sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise carotene, potassiumchloride and, optionally, and a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. Each of the embodiments of this paragraph can furthercomprise one or more metal chelators (e.g., EDTA, EGTA,o-phenanthroline, and/or citrate), one or more RNase inhibitors (e.g.,any RNase inhibitor or combination thereof described or suggestedherein), biomolecules (e.g., any sample comprising biomolecules, such asa biological sample), or any combination thereof.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise DMSO and a plasticizerselected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol,glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran,polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certain embodiments, thecompositions comprise DMSO, sodium chloride and, optionally, and aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise DMSO, potassium chloride and,optionally, and a plasticizer selected from the group consisting ofethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose,sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine.Each of the embodiments of this paragraph can further comprise one ormore metal chelators (e.g., EDTA, EGTA, o-phenanthroline, and/orcitrate), one or more RNase inhibitors (e.g., any RNase inhibitor orcombination thereof described or suggested herein), biomolecules (e.g.,any sample comprising biomolecules, such as a biological sample), or anycombination thereof.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise mannitol and aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise mannitol, sodium chloride and,optionally, and a plasticizer selected from the group consisting ofethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose,sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise mannitol, potassiumchloride and, optionally, and a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. Each of the embodiments of this paragraph can furthercomprise one or more metal chelators (e.g., EDTA, EGTA,o-phenanthroline, and/or citrate), one or more RNase inhibitors (e.g.,any RNase inhibitor or combination thereof described or suggestedherein), biomolecules (e.g., any sample comprising biomolecules, such asa biological sample), or any combination thereof.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise catalase and aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise catalase, sodium chloride and,optionally, and a plasticizer selected from the group consisting ofethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose,sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise catalase, potassiumchloride and, optionally, and a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. Each of the embodiments of this paragraph can furthercomprise one or more metal chelators (e.g., EDTA, EGTA,o-phenanthroline, and/or citrate), one or more RNase inhibitors (e.g.,any RNase inhibitor or combination thereof described or suggestedherein), biomolecules (e.g., any sample comprising biomolecules, such asa biological sample), or any combination thereof.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise pyruvate and aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise pyruvate, sodium chloride and,optionally, and a plasticizer selected from the group consisting ofethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose,sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise pyruvate, potassiumchloride and, optionally, and a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. Each of the embodiments of this paragraph can furthercomprise one or more metal chelators (e.g., EDTA, EGTA,o-phenanthroline, and/or citrate), one or more RNase inhibitors (e.g.,any RNase inhibitor or combination thereof described or suggestedherein), biomolecules (e.g., any sample comprising biomolecules, such asa biological sample), or any combination thereof.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise glutathione and aplasticizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol,1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose, sucrose, trehalose,mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine. In certainembodiments, the compositions comprise glutathione, sodium chloride and,optionally, and a plasticizer selected from the group consisting ofethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol, glucose,sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and polyserine.In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise glutathione, potassiumchloride and, optionally, and a plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, glycerol, erythritol,glucose, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol andpolyserine. Each of the embodiments of this paragraph can furthercomprise one or more metal chelators (e.g., EDTA, EGTA,o-phenanthroline, and/or citrate), one or more RNase inhibitors (e.g.,any RNase inhibitor or combination thereof described or suggestedherein), biomolecules (e.g., any sample comprising biomolecules, such asa biological sample), or any combination thereof.

In certain embodiments, the stabilizer (e.g., singlet oxygen quencher,hydroxyl radical scavenger, hydroperoxide removing agent) is theprincipal component of the composition. In certain embodiments, thestabilizer constitutes at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%,45%, or more of the composition. In other embodiments, the stabilizer(e.g., singlet oxygen quencher, hydroxyl radical scavenger,hydroperoxide removing agent) is the principal non-water component ofthe composition. In certain embodiments, the stabilizer constitutes atleast 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or more of thenon-water portion of the composition.

In certain embodiments, the stabilizer (e.g., singlet oxygen quencher,hydroxyl radical scavenger, hydroperoxide removing agent) is part of anaqueous medium of the invention (e.g., either before or after beingmixed with a sample) and is present at a concentration of about 0.05mg/ml to about 100.0 mg/ml, about 0.1 mg/ml to about 75.0 mg/ml, about0.2 mg/ml to about 50.0 mg/ml, about 0.3 mg/ml to about 25.0 mg/ml,about 0.4 mg/ml to about 15.0 mg/ml, or about 0.5 mg/ml to about 10.0mg/ml. In certain embodiments, the stabilizer (e.g., singlet oxygenquencher, hydroxyl radical scavenger, hydroperoxide removing agent) ispart of an aqueous medium of the invention (e.g., either before or afterbeing mixed with a sample) and is present at a concentration of about1.0 mM to about 500 mM, about 2.0 mM to about 400 mM, about 3.0 mM toabout 300 mM, about 4.0 mM to about 200 mM, about 5.0 mM to about 100mM, about 6.0 mM to about 95 mM, about 7.0 mM to about 90 mM, about 8.0mM to about 85 mM, about 9.0 mM to about 80 mM, about 10 mM to about 75mM, about 11 mM to about 70 mM, about 12 mM to about 65 mM, about 13 mMto about 60 mM, about 14 mM to about 55 mM, about 15 mM to about 50 mM,about 20 mM to about 40 mM, or about 30 mM. In certain embodiments, thestabilizer (e.g., singlet oxygen quencher, hydroxyl radical scavenger,hydroperoxide removing agent) is part of an aqueous medium of theinvention (e.g., either before or after being mixed with a sample) andis present at a concentration of about 1.0 mM to about 50 mM, about 2.0mM to about 40 mM, about 3.0 mM to about 30 mM, about 4.0 mM to about 20mM, about 5.0 mM to about 10 mM, or about 6.25 mM.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic salt (e.g., sodium chloride orpotassium chloride) is part of an aqueous medium of the invention (e.g.,either before or after being mixed with a sample) and is present at aconcentration of about 0.05 mg/ml to about 100.0 mg/ml, about 0.1 mg/mlto about 75.0 mg/ml, about 0.2 mg/ml to about 50.0 mg/ml, about 0.3mg/ml to about 25.0 mg/ml, about 0.4 mg/ml to about 15.0 mg/ml, or about0.5 mg/ml to about 10.0 mg/ml. In certain embodiments, the inorganicsalt (e.g., sodium chloride or potassium chloride) is part of an aqueousmedium of the invention (e.g., either before or after being mixed with asample) and is present at a concentration of about 1.0 mM to about 500mM, about 2.0 mM to about 450 mM, about 3.0 mM to about 400 mM, about4.0 mM to about 350 mM, about 5.0 mM to about 300 mM, about 6.0 mM toabout 250 mM, about 7.0 mM to about 200 mM, about 8.0 mM to about 150mM, about 9.0 mM to about 125 mM, about 10 mM to about 100 mM, about 11mM to about 90 mM, about 12 mM to about 80 mM, about 13 mM to about 70mM, about 14 mM to about 60 mM, about 15 mM to about 50 mM, about 20 mMto about 40 mM, or about 30 mM. In certain embodiments, the inorganicsalt (e.g., sodium chloride or potassium chloride) is part of an aqueousmedium of the invention (e.g., either before or after being mixed with asample) and is present at a concentration of about 1.0 mM to about 50mM, about 2.0 mM to about 40 mM, about 3.0 mM to about 30 mM, about 4.0mM to about 20 mM, about 5.0 mM to about 10 mM, or about 6.25 mM.

In certain embodiments, the plasticizer is the principal component ofthe composition. In certain embodiments, the plasticizer constitutes atleast 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or more of thecomposition. In other embodiments, the plasticizer is the principalnon-water component of the composition. In certain embodiments, theplasticizer constitutes at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%,45%, or more of the non-water portion of the composition.

In certain embodiments, the plasticizers of the foregoing compositions(e.g., glycerol, trehalose, dextran, and polyvinyl alcohol) are in anaqueous medium (e.g., either before or after being mixed with a sample)and have a concentration of about 0.01% to about 8.0%, about 0.02% toabout 5.0%, about 0.03% to about 2.0%, about 0.04% to about 1.5%, about0.05% to about 1%, or about 0.06% to about 0.5%.

In another aspect, the invention provides compositions comprising atleast three components selected from the list consisting of an inorganiccompound, a singlet oxygen quencher, a hydroxyl radical scavenger, ahydroperoxide removing agent, a reducing agent, a metal chelator, adetergent, and a plasticizer. The inorganic compound, singlet oxygenquencher, hydroxyl radical scavenger, hydroperoxide removing agent,reducing agent, metal chelator, detergent, and plasticizer can be anyinorganic compound, singlet oxygen quencher, hydroxyl radical scavenger,hydroperoxide removing agent, reducing agent, metal chelator, detergent,and plasticizer described or suggested herein. In certain embodiments,the compositions comprise at least three components selected from thelist consisting of an inorganic compound, a singlet oxygen quencher, ahydroyl radical scavenger, a hydroperoxide removing agent, and a metalchelator.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise an inorganic compound,a hydroxyl radical scavenger, and a hydroperoxide removing agent. Inother embodiments, the compositions comprise an inorganic compound, asinglet oxygen quencher, and a hydroxyl radical scavenger. In otherembodiments, the compositions comprise an inorganic compound, a singletoxygen quencher, and a hydroperoxide removing agent. In otherembodiments, the compositions comprise a singlet oxygen quencher, ahydroxyl radical scavenger, and a hydroperoxide removing agent. Incertain related embodiments, the compositions further comprise a metalchelator, a plasticizer, one or more RNase inhibitors, or anycombination thereof.

In certain embodiments, the compositions further comprise biomolecules(e.g., a sample, such as a biological sample, comprising biomolecules).

The compositions of the present invention can be provided in any formsuitable for biomolecule storage. In one embodiment, a composition ofthe present invention is provided as a solid-state matrix. As usedherein, “solid-state” means that the matrix is provided in a solid ordry form which can be converted to a liquid form by suspending,re-hydrating, or solubilizing the matrix in water. In certainembodiments, the solid-state matrix is obtained by air drying (e.g., ina chemical fume hood). In other embodiments, the solid state storagematrix is obtained by drying in a vacuum (e.g., in a vacuum centrifuge).In certain embodiments, the solid-state matrix has a crystalline orparacrystalline structure. In certain embodiments, the solid-statematrix does not have a glass structure. In certain embodiments, thesolid-state matrix has been equilibrated with atmospheric relativehumidity and has a water content of 70%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 48%, 46%, 44%,42%, 40%, 38%, 36%, 35%, 34%, 33%, 32%, 31%, 30%, or less by weight.

In other embodiments, a composition of the present invention is providedas an aqueous medium. As used herein, “aqueous” refers to a solution inwhich water is the principal solvent. The aqueous medium can be the formthe composition has prior to being mixed with sample. Alternatively, theaqueous medium can be the result of mixing a dry-state matrix with aliquid sample. In preferred embodiments, an aqueous medium of theinvention can be dried down (e.g., by air or vacuum drying) to obtain asolid state matrix of the invention. In certain embodiments, the aqueousmedium, upon drying, forms a solid state matrix having a crystalline orparacrystalline structure. In certain embodiments, the aqueous medium,upon drying, does not form a glass structure. In other embodiments, asolid state matrix of the invention can be solubilized in water or aliquid biological sample (e.g., a bodily fluid, a tissue homogenate, acellular lysate, a purified or synthetic sample of biomolecules),diluted or otherwise, to produce an aqueous medium of the invention.

In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention do notcomprise Tris base, EDTA, EGTA, or a combination thereof.

In certain embodiments, the compositions are substantially free ofmagnesium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, orlead. In this context, the term “substantially free” means that thecomposition is less than 0.5% magnesium, chromium, manganese, iron,cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, or lead by weight, wherein the percentageis determined by dividing (1) the weight of magnesium, chromium,manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, or lead in thecomposition by (2) the weight of all non-water compounds in thecomposition and multiplying the result by 100. In preferred embodiments,the composition contains less than 0.1%, 0.05%, 0.01%, 0.005%, or lessmagnesium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, orlead.

In certain embodiments, the compositions are substantially free of oneor more water soluble organic polymers, such as polyvinyl alcohol,dextran, dextran sulfate, and cellulose. In this context, “substantiallyfree” means that the composition is less than 0.5% by weight of aparticular water soluble organic polymers, where the percentage isdetermined by dividing (1) the weight of the water soluble organicpolymer in the composition by (2) the weight of all non-water compoundsin the composition and multiplying the result by 100. In certainembodiments, the composition contains less than 0.1%, 0.05%, 0.01%,0.005%, of a particular water soluble organic polymer.

In certain embodiments, the compositions are inert with respect to oneor more downstream methods that may be used to analyze biomolecules thathave been stored in and/or stabilized by the compositions. The term“inert,” as used herein in this context, means that the presence of acomposition in a sample does not reduce the rate of the method by morethan 50% and does significantly reduce the fidelity of the method. Incertain embodiments, the composition is inert with respect to a methodselected from the group consisting of nucleic acid transcription and/oramplification (e.g., reverse transcription, PCR, real time PCR, etc.),endonuclease digestion (e.g., reactions involving type II endonucleases,such as EcoRI, BamHI, Hindiii, Noti, Smai, Bglii, etc.), cloningtechniques (e.g., ligation), protein digestion (e.g., reactionsinvolving proteinases such as proteinase K, trypsin, chymotrypsin,savinase, etc.), microarray analysis (e.g., of nucleic acids orproteins), immunoassays (e.g., immunoprecipitation, ELISA, etc.), massspectroscopy, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, thecomposition is inert upon dilution (e.g., dilution by a factor of 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, or more). In other embodiments, thecomposition is inert in undiluted form.

Sample Carriers

In another aspect, the invention provides sample carriers comprisingcompositions of the invention. In certain embodiments, the samplecarriers comprise a container and a sample node, wherein the sample nodecomprises or consists of a composition disclosed herein (e.g., asolid-state matrix or an aqueous medium disclosed herein). In certainembodiments, the sample node is reversibly attached to the container. Incertain embodiments, the container contains and/or supports the samplenode. The container can be any size and shape suitable for containing orsupporting such compositions and/or practicing the methods of theinvention. For example, in certain embodiments, the container is a tube(e.g., a test tube, a sample tube having a volume of about 0.1 ml toabout 2.0 ml, etc.) or a well (e.g., a well in a plate, such as astandard multi-well plate).

In certain embodiments, the container has a volume of about 10). 11 toabout 2 ml, about 25 μl to about 1.5 ml, about 50 μl to about 1000 μl,about 75 μl to about 800 μl, about 100 μl to about 700 μl, about 125 μlto about 600 μl, or about 150 μl to about 500 μl.

In certain embodiments, the sample carrier comprises an identifyingindicia, such as an optical barcode. In certain embodiments, thecontainer comprises an identifying indicia. For example, in certainembodiments, the container comprises an optical barcode or a biologicalbarcode. Biological barcodes have been described, for example, in USPatent Application No. 2004/0219533 and No. 2005/0026181. In certainembodiments, the sample node comprises an identifying indicia, such as abiological barcode.

In certain embodiments, the sample node comprises about 10 μg to about1000 μg, about 15 μg to about 900 μg, about 20 μg to about 800 μg, about25 μg to about 700 μg, about 30 μg to about 600 μg, about 35 μg to about500 μg, about 40 μg to about 400 μg, about 45 μg to about 300 μg, about50 μg to about 200 μg, about 55 μg to about 150 μg, about 60 μg to about125 μg, about 65 μg to about 100 μg, or about 70 μg to about 80 μg of asolid state matrix disclosed herein. In other embodiments, the samplenode comprises about 1.0 mg to about 100 mg, about 2.0 mg to about 90mg, about 3.0 mg to about 80 mg, about 4.0 mg to about 70 mg, about 5.0mg to about 60 mg, about 6.0 mg to about 50 mg, about 7.0 mg to about 40mg, about 8.0 mg to about 30 mg, about 9.0 mg to about 20 mg, or about10 mg of a solid state matrix disclosed herein. In other embodiments,the sample node comprises about 10 μl to about 1000 μl, about 15 μl toabout 900 about 20 μl to about 800 about 25 μl to about 700 μl, about 30μl to about 600 μl, about 35 μl to about 500 μl, about 40 μl to about400 μl, about 45 μl to about 300 μl, about 50 μl to about 200 μl, about55 μl to about 150 μl, about 60 μl to about 125 about 65 μl to about 100μl, or about 70 μl to about 90 μl of an aqueous medium disclosed herein.

In certain embodiments, the sample carrier comprises a plurality ofcontainers and a plurality of discrete sample nodes. As used herein inthis context, “discrete” means that the sample nodes are physicallyseparate from the other sample nodes of the sample carrier and can beaccessed and manipulated individually. Thus, for example, each of theplurality of sample nodes can be individually contained or supported bya single container. In certain embodiments, the plurality of containersis a plurality of tubes (e.g., an 8×12 array of screw cap tubes havingan SBS microtiter footprint). In certain embodiments, the plurality ofcontainers is a plurality of wells in a multi-well plate (e.g., amicrotiter plate having an SBS microtiter footprint). In general, suchmulti-compartment container is compatible with automation and robotichandling.

In certain embodiments, each of said plurality of containers comprisesan identifying indicia. For example, in certain embodiments, each ofsaid plurality of containers comprises an optical barcode or abiological barcode. In other embodiments, each of said plurality ofcontainers can be identified by its position within the sample carrier(e.g., the coordinates of a well within a multi-well plate).

In certain embodiments, the sample carrier further comprisesbiomolecules. Thus, in certain embodiments, the sample carrier comprisesone or more samples, such as biological samples, containingbiomolecules. The samples can be any biological sample disclosed herein,such as a bodily fluid, a tissue homogenate, a cell lysate, a fractionthereof, a purified sample, or a synthetic sample.

In another aspect, the invention provides kits comprising a compositiondisclosed herein and an instruction for using the composition forstorage of biomolecules. In certain embodiments, the composition is asolid-state matrix disclosed herein. In other embodiments, thecomposition is an aqueous medium disclosed herein. In certainembodiments, the instruction describes a method for dry storage ofbiomolecules disclosed herein. In other embodiments, the instructiondescribed a method for stabilizing biomolecules (e.g., in a dry state orin a liquid medium). In still other embodiments, the instructiondescribes a method for shipping biomolecules (e.g., in a dry state)described herein.

In certain embodiments, the kits include a container that contains thecomposition. The container can be any size or shape suitable forcontaining the composition. In certain embodiments, the container is abottle. In certain embodiments, the container contains a compositiondisclosed herein (e.g., an aqueous medium or a dry-state matrix) insufficient quantity to provide storage and/or stability to a pluralityof samples (e.g., 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, or moresamples). In certain embodiments, the container contains 100 μl, 200 μl,300 μl, 400 μl, 500 μl, 750 μl, 1.0 ml, 1.5 ml, 2.0 ml, 2.5 ml, 5.0 ml,7.5 ml, 10.0 ml, 15.0 ml, 20.0 ml, or more of an aqueous medium of theinvention. In other embodiments, the container contains 500 μg, 1 mg,1.5 mg, 2.0 mg, 2.5 mg, 5.0 mg, 7.5 mg, 10.0 mg, 15.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 50.0mg, 100 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg, 1 g, or more of a dry-state matrix of theinvention.

In other embodiments, the kits include a sample carrier disclosedherein. For example, in certain embodiments, the kit includes a samplecarrier comprising a plurality of containers (e.g., a multi-well plate),wherein each of said plurality of wells contains a storage compositiondisclosed herein.

Methods

In another aspect, the invention provides methods of storingbiomolecules. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise mixing asample that contains biomolecules, such as a biological sample, with acomposition described herein (e.g., a solid state matrix or an aqueousmedium described herein) to form a mixture, and drying down the mixtureto form a dry-state matrix comprising biomolecules. The sample can beany type of sample described herein.

In certain embodiments, the sample is a liquid sample, such as a bodilyfluid (e.g., blood, serum, sputum, urine, cerbrospinal fluid, etc.), acellular lysate, or a tissue homogenate. In certain embodiments, thesample is a liquid sample and is mixed with a dry-state matrix of theinvention. In other embodiments, the sample is a liquid sample and ismixed with an aqueous medium of the invention. In other embodiments, thesample is carried by a solid support, such as a cotton swab, a filterpaper, or a sponge. For example, in certain embodiments, the sample is aliquid sample and the mixing comprising washing the solid support withan aqueous medium of the invention. In still other embodiments, thesample is a solid sample, such as a piece of tissue (e.g., a biopsy).For example, in certain embodiments, the sample is a solid sample and isstored in an aqueous medium for storage (e.g., overnight, or for 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7 days or more). In certain embodiments, a solid sample isplaced in a mixture of an aqueous medium of the invention and anotherliquid known for stabilizing biomolecules present in a solid tissuesample such as a biopsy. For example, in certain embodiments, the sampleis placed in a mixture of an aqueous medium of the invention andRNALater™ (by Ambion) or Allprotect™ (by Qiagen).

In certain embodiments, mixing the sample with a composition of theinvention comprises agitating (e.g., by repeat pipetting, shaking, orvortexing) the combination of sample and composition. In otherembodiments, mixing the sample with a composition of the inventioncomprises incubating the combination of sample and composition at atemperature above room temperature (e.g., at a temperature of 30° C.,37° C., 40° C., 42° C., 45° C., 50° C., 55° C., 60° C., or higher). Incertain embodiments, mixing the sample with a composition of theinvention comprises incubating the combination of sample and compositionat a temperature less than 70° C., 65° C., 60° C., 55° C., 50° C., 45°C., 40° C., or lower. In certain embodiments, mixing the sample with acomposition of the invention comprises agitating the combination ofsample and composition, and incubating the combination at a temperaturebetween room temperature and 60° C. As used herein, “room temperature”is the temperature in a typical laboratory. Thus, in general, roomtemperature is between about 20° C. and about 28° C., or between about22° C. and about 26° C.

In certain embodiments, drying down the storage solution comprises airdrying (e.g., air drying in a chemical fume hood overnight). In otherembodiments, drying down the storage solution comprises vacuum drying(e.g., drying in a vacuum centrifuge for one or more hours). Followingdrying, the dry-state matrix can be stored, for example, in a samplearchive. Suitable archives have been described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No.7,142,987 and U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0129755.

In certain embodiments, the storage is short term (e.g., the time ittakes to transport the biomolecules to a remote location for furtherprocessing). Thus, for example, in certain embodiments, the storage isfor 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 24, or more hours, or for 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or more days. In certain embodiments, the storage isfor an intermediate time period (e.g., for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, or more weeks, or for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,15, 16, 17, 18, or more months). In still other embodiments, the storageis long term (e.g., for archiving). Thus, for example, in certainembodiments, the storage is for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,15, 20, or more years.

In general, the compositions of the present invention can be used tostore any biomolecule. Exemplary biomolecules include without anylimitation, DNA, RNA, nucleic acid, polynucleotide, oligonucleotide,amino acid, peptide, polypeptide. Such biomolecules can be in any form,e.g., in a biological sample, an extract, any other intermediate orsemi-processed biological samples, a purified sample, or a syntheticsample. Exemplary biological samples include without any limitation,blood, plasma, urine, saliva, cerebrospinal fluid, or any biologicalfluid, skin cells, cell or tissue samples, cell lysate, nuclear extract,nucleic acid extract, protein extract, cytoplasmic extract, etc.

In a related aspect, the invention provides methods of transportingbiomolecules. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise storing thebiomolecules in a dry-state matrix of the invention (e.g., according toa method of storing biomolecules described herein). Thus, for example,in certain embodiments the methods comprise mixing a sample thatcontains biomolecules, such as a biological sample, with a compositiondescribed herein (e.g., a solid-state matrix or an aqueous mediumdescribed herein) to form a mixture, drying down the mixture to form adry-state matrix comprising biomolecules, and transporting the dry-statematrix comprising biomolecules. The sample can be any type of sampledescribed herein.

In certain embodiments, the dry-state matrix comprising biomolecules istransported to a location where the biomolecules can be stored forfuture use (e.g., an archive). In other embodiments, the dry-statematrix comprising biomolecules is transported to a location where thebiomolecules can be analyzed (e.g., a laboratory). In certainembodiments, the dry-state matrix comprising biomolecules is transportedat a temperature greater than 25° C. In other embodiments, the dry-statematrix comprising biomolecules is transported at a temperature greaterthan 37° C. In still other embodiments, the dry-state matrix comprisingbiomolecules is transported at a temperature greater than 50° C. Thus,for example, in certain embodiments, the dry-state matrix comprisingbiomolecules is exposed to ambient temperatures of about 25° C. to about80° C., about 37° C. to about 75° C., or about 50° C. to about 70° C.during said transporting step.

In certain embodiments, the dry-state matrix comprising biomolecules isexposed to elevated temperatures for one or more hours (e.g., for 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, or 24 hours, or more)during said transporting. As used herein in this context, “elevatedtemperatures” refers to temperatures greater than 25° C. Thus, forexample, in certain embodiments the dry-state matrix comprisingbiomolecules is exposed to temperatures greater than 25° C., greaterthan 37° C., greater than 50° C., and/or greater than 70° C. for one ormore hours (e.g., for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20,22, or 24 hours, or more). In certain embodiments, the biomolecules inthe dry-state matrix are not damaged by the exposure to elevatedtemperatures. For example, in certain embodiments, greater that 50%,60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more of a particular type of biomolecule (e.g.,DNA, RNA, protein, etc.) will remain in good condition for analysisfollowing the exposure to elevated temperatures.

In certain embodiments, the transporting occurs by air (e.g., in anairplane). In certain embodiments, the transporting occurs by ground(e.g., in a delivery vehicle).

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of stabilizingbiomolecules. In certain embodiments, the method comprises mixing asample comprising biomolecules with a composition described herein(e.g., a dry-state matrix or an aqueous medium described herein) to forma mixture, wherein at least one biomolecule in the mixture is stabilizedby the presence of the composition. As used herein, a biomolecule is“stabilized” by a composition when there is a lower likelihood that iswill become degraded over time in the presence of the composition ascompared to in the absence of the composition. In certain embodiments,the stabilization occurs in solution. Thus, for example, the inventionprovides a method of stabilizing biomolecules in solution, the methodcomprising mixing a sample comprising biomolecules with an aqueousmedium described herein, wherein the at least one biomolecule isstabilized by the aqueous medium. In other embodiments, the methodcomprises mixing a liquid sample comprising biomolecules with adry-state matrix described herein, and resuspending the dry-state matrixin the liquid sample to form a mixture, wherein at least one biomoleculein the mixture is stabilized by the resuspended matrix.

In certain embodiments, the mixture is maintained at a temperaturegreater than 0° C. As used herein in this context, the term “maintained”simply means that the mixture is allowed to stand in a particularlocation characterized by a particular ambient temperature. Thus, forexample, after a sample has been mixed with a composition of theinvention, if the resulting mixture is set aside (e.g., while othersamples are attended to), the sample is being maintained at the ambienttemperature in the room where the mixture is located. In certainembodiments, the mixture is maintained at a temperature greater than 4°C., 10° C., 15° C., 20° C., 25° C., 30° C., 35° C., 37° C., or more. Incertain embodiments, the biomolecules are maintained at a particulartemperature (e.g., 25° C. or greater) for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40,45, 50, 55, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, or more minutes. In certainembodiments, the biomolecules are maintained at a particular temperature(e.g., 25° C. or greater) for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 18, 24,30, 36, 42, 48, or more hours. In certain embodiments, the biomoleculesare maintained at a particular temperature (e.g., 25° C. or greater) for1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or more days.

In certain embodiments, the biomolecules stabilized are nucleic acids(e.g., DNA and/or RNA). In other embodiments, the biomoleculesstabilized are proteins or peptides. In other embodiments, thebiomolecules stabilized are carbohydrates. In other embodiments, thebiomolecules stabilized are lipids. In still other embodiments, themolecules stabilized are small molecules, such as steroids,pharmaceutical drugs, and metabolites thereof.

In another aspect, the invention provides methods of recoveringbiomolecules. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise adding aresuspension fluid to a dry-state matrix of the present invention thatcomprises biomolecules, and resuspending the matrix. In certainembodiments, the volume of resuspension fluid added to the storagematrix is greater than the volume of storage solution that was drieddown to form the storage matrix. For example, in certain embodiments,the volume of resuspension fluid added to the storage matrix is greaterthan the volume of storage solution by a factor of 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2.0,or more. In other embodiments, the volume of resuspension fluid added tothe storage matrix is less than the volume of storage solution that wasdried down to form the storage matrix. For example, in certainembodiments, the volume of resuspension fluid added to the storagematrix is less than the volume of storage solution by a factor of 1.25,1.5, 1.75, 2.0, or more. In preferred embodiments, the volume ofresuspension fluid added to the storage matrix is about the same as thevolume of storage solution that was dried down to form the storagematrix.

In certain embodiments, the resuspension fluid is water. In otherembodiments, the resuspension fluid is a buffer. For example, in certainembodiments, the resuspension fluid is a buffer that comprises Tris base(e.g., 10 mM Tris or TE). In certain embodiments, the resuspension fluidhas a pH of about 7.0. For example, in certain embodiments, theresuspension fluid has a pH of about 5.5 to about 8.5, or about to about8.0, or about 6.5 to about 7.5, or about 7.0.

Biomolecules recovered from dry-state matrices of the invention can beanalyzed and manipulated using standard molecular and biochemicaltechniques. For example, recovered nucleic acid molecules can beamplified (e.g., using standard PCR or real-time PCR) and/or analyzed(e.g., using restriction endonucleases and other nucleic acidmodification enzymes, as well as by hybridization, such as tomicroarrays or blots). In preferred embodiments, the recoveredbiomolecules do not require any purification prior to such manipulationand/or analysis.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are intended to illustrate, but not to limit, theinvention in any manner, shape, or form, either explicitly orimplicitly. While they are typical of those that might be used, otherprocedures, methodologies, or techniques known to those skilled in theart may alternatively be used.

Example 1: Boric Acid Dry-State Matrices

Matrices comprising a water-soluble inorganic compound, were fabricatedin conical bottom, polypropylene, 96-well microtiter plates. 20 μLaliquots of medium consisting of a 4.0 mg/ml aqueous solution of boricacid were added to individual wells. The medium was subsequently airdried at room temperature onto the bottom surface of each well to form adiscrete, solid-state inorganic matrix (i.e., a discrete sample node).The drying process typically required 2 hours in a vacuum centrifuge orovernight in a hood. FIG. 1 shows representative matrices formedaccording to these procedures.

Example 2: Boric Acid Plus Histidine Dry-State Matrices

Matrices comprising a water-soluble inorganic compound (boric acid) anda small-molecule stabilizer (histidine) were fabricated in a conicalbottom, polypropylene, 96 well microtiter plate. 20 μL aliquots ofmedium consisting of an aqueous solution of boric acid (4.0 mg/ml) andhistidine (from 0.5 mg/ml to 2.5 mg/ml) were added to individual wells.The medium was subsequently air dried at room temperature onto thebottom surface of each well to form a discrete, solid-state inorganicmatrix (i.e., a discrete sample node). The drying process typicallyrequired 2 hours in a vacuum centrifuge or overnight in a hood.

Example 3: Boric Acid Plus Glycerol Dry-State Matrices

Matrices comprising a water-soluble inorganic compound (boric acid) anda plasticizer (glycerol) were fabricated in a conical bottom,polypropylene, 96 well microtiter plate. 20 μL aliquots of mediumconsisting of an aqueous solution of boric acid (4.0 mg/ml) and glycerol(from 0.5 mg/ml to 4.0 mg/ml) were added to individual wells. The mediumwas subsequently air dried at room temperature onto the bottom surfaceof each well to form a discrete, solid-state inorganic matrix (i.e., adiscrete sample node). The drying process typically required 2 hours ina vacuum centrifuge or overnight in a hood.

Example 4: Storage of DNA in Dry-State Matrices Comprising Boric Acidwith or without Histidine

To the matrices described in Examples 1-2, 20 μL aliquots of human DNA(supplied by Roche) in TE buffer were added per well. The solid-statematrix in each well was resuspended and solubilized in the DNA solutionby repeat pipetting. The resulting solutions were then air-dried to formsolid-state matrices comprising biomolecules. The amount of DNA added toeach well ranged from about 100 ng to about 5000 ng. After the matricescomprising DNA were formed, the plates were stored at room temperature(i.e., about 25° C.), 37° C., 55° C., or 76° C.

Example 5: Recovery of DNA from Dry-State Matrices by Addition of Water

To retrieve the DNA from the dry-state storage of Example 4, 20 μL ofwater was added to each well and the plates were incubated at roomtemperature for about 15 minutes. The DNA-containing solutions wereretrieved by pipetting and then used “as is” or diluted with water asneeded for further analysis.

Example 6: Gel Electrophoresis of DNA Recovered from Dry-State Matrices

DNA stored according to Example 4 and recovered according to Example 5was analyzed by gel electrophoresis. A volume of DNA-containing solutioncorresponding to 100 ng of recovered DNA (assuming 100% recovery) wasrun on a 0.8% agarose gel at 250 volts for 1 hour and stained withEthidium bromide. The results are shown in FIG. 2.

Example 7: Real Time PCR Analysis of Human DNA Recovered from Dry-StateMatrices

Real time PCR was used to compare and evaluate the recovery of DNA fromthe dry-state matrices of Example 4. The DNA was recovered as describedin Example 5. PCR analysis was based on a nuclear chromosome encodedgene, -actin, as provided by ABI (Cat#401846).

PCR reactions were carried out in a 25 μL volume. The reactionscontained 1×ABI TaqMan buffer A, 3.5 mM MgCl2, 0.3 μM primers-probe, 0.2mM dNTPs, and 0.125 μL of Amplitaq Gold at 5 U/μL. The conditions forthese PCR tests were as follows: (1) 95° C. for 10 minutes; (2) 40cycles of 95° C. for 15 seconds, 60° C. for 1 minute; and (3) 4° C.hold. Approximately 80 μg of DNA recovered from dry state storage(assuming 100% recovery) was used as template for each reaction. Forcontrols, 80 μg of frozen DNA was used as template. All of PCR resultswere evaluated by real time PCR using ABI 7700. The results are shown inFIG. 3.

Example 8: Microarray Analysis of DNA Recovered from Dry-State Matrices

Microarray analysis was performed on DNA recovered from the dry-statematrices of Example 6. The DNA was recovered as described in Example 8.Affymetrix 6.0 and Illumina 1M Microarray SNP analyses were performed byExpression Analysis, Inc. (Durham, N.C.) as per manufacturerrecommendations. The results of the analysis are shown in FIG. 4.

Example 9: Storage of Buccal Swab or Blood Swab Lysates in Dry-StateMatrices Comprising Borax

Whole blood or cheek cell samples are collected on cotton swabs and airdried. The swabs are later rehydrated by addition of 100 mM Borax inwater, followed by heating to 95° C. for 10 minutes. The swab extract iscollected from the swab by centrifugation or by squeezing the fluid fromthe swab by hand. The resulting solution is then aliquoted into one ormore wells of a 96-well microtiter plate at a volume not to exceed about200 μL per well. The plate is allowed to dry at room temperature, thusforming a dry-state matrix comprising biomolecules.

The biomolecules in the resulting dry-state matrix are recovered from apre-selected well by the addition of a volume of water equal to theoriginal fluid volume prior to drying (i.e., up to 200 μLiwell).Recovered nucleic acid molecules are ready for use in applied geneticanalyses or preparative nucleic acid biochemistry.

Example 10: Storage of Buccal Swab or Blood Swab Lysates in Dry-StateMatrices Comprising Borax and Histidine

Whole blood or cheek cell samples are collected on cotton swabs and airdried. The swabs are rehydrated by addition of 100 mM Borax and 2 mM-100mM histidine in water, followed by heating to 95° C. for 10 minutes. Theswab extract is collected from the swab by centrifugation or bysqueezing the fluid from the swab by hand. The resulting solution isthen aliquoted into one or more wells of a 96-well microtiter plate at avolume not to exceed about 200 μL per well. The plate is allowed to dryat room temperature, thus forming an inorganic storage matrix.

The biomolecules in the resulting dry-state matrix are recovered from apre-selected well by the addition of a volume of water equal to theoriginal fluid volume prior to drying (i.e., up to 200 μLiwell).Recovered nucleic acid molecules are ready for use in applied geneticanalyses or preparative nucleic acid biochemistry.

Example 11: RNA Stability During Dry-State Storage at ElevatedTemperatures

One microgram samples of purified total RNA were mixed with variouscompositions of the invention (as described below) and then stored inthe dry state at (A) 25° C. or (B) 76° C. for 7 days. At that point, thesamples were resuspended and analyzed on an Agilent Bioanalyzer. Thedry-state matrices were as follows:

1) Borate, citrate, EDTA, pyruvate, and dextran (results shown in FIG.5);

2) Tris, borate, mannitol, and EDTA (results shown in FIG. 6);

3) borate, citrate, mannitol, and dextran (results shown in FIG. 7);

4) borate citrate, mannitol, and pyruvate (results shown in FIG. 8);

5) borate, citrate, pyruvate, and dextran (results shown in FIG. 9);

6) borate, citrate, EDTA, and dextran (results shown in FIG. 10);

7) borate, EDTA, and pyruvate (results shown in FIG. 11);

8) borate, citrate, and pyruvate (results shown in FIG. 12);

9) borate, citrate, and mannitol (results shown in FIG. 13);

10) borate, citrate, and EDTA (results shown in FIG. 14);

11) no matrix control (results shown in FIG. 15).

In the Agilent bioanalyzer traces of total RNA, if the RNA is intact,the ribosomal RNA complement of the total RNA appears as a pair of sharpbands migrating at about 41 & 48 seconds. As the RNA degrades, strandbreaks are incurred due to RNA backbone cleavage, thereby causing thesharp ribosomal RNA bands to be broadened, and eventually indetectible,as in FIG. 15(B).

Overall, the data in FIGS. 5-14 show that all ten of the compositionsdescribed above provide for high levels of RNA stabilization at 76° C.,as assessed by the use of ribosomal RNA as a surrogate. This hightemperature exceeds the maximum possible ambient shipping temperaturepredicted by FEDEX and the Dept. of Defense, thus indicating that theabove 10 formulations (and other similar matrices), allow RNA to bestored and transported under extreme conditions in the dry state. Bycomparison, RNA stored dry in the absence of these compositions becomesmoderately degraded when stored at 25° C. (FIG. 15(A)) and highlydegraded when stored dry at 76° C. (FIG. 15(B)).

Additional compositions suitable for the dry-state storage, transport,and/or stabilization of RNA include: borate, citrate, mannitol, anddextran; borate, mannitol, pyruvate, and dextran; borate, EDTA,mannitol, pyruvate, and dextran; and borate, citrate, EDTA, mannitol,pyruvate, and dextran. For aqueous stabilization of RNA, one or moreRNase inhibitors (e.g., as described herein) could be added to thecompositions of this example.

All patents and publications, including all sequences disclosed withinsuch patents and publications, referred to herein are expresslyincorporated by reference.

Although the invention has been described with reference to thepresently preferred embodiments and the foregoing non-limiting examples,it should be understood that various changes and modifications, as wouldbe obvious to one skilled in the art, can be made without departing fromthe spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is limited onlyby the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An aqueous medium comprising: boric acid or acorresponding salt of boric acid; a plasticizer and a hydroxyl radicalscavenger, wherein histidine is the plasticizer and the hydroxyl radicalscavenger; and a microcidal compound; wherein said aqueous medium is ina liquid state.
 2. The medium of claim 1, further comprising a reducingagent, a chelator, a detergent, a chaotrope, or any combination thereof.3. The medium of claim 1, further comprising a sample comprisingbiomolecules.
 4. The medium of claim 1, wherein said medium is inertwith respect to methods of nucleic acid amplification, nucleic aciddigestion, and/or protein digestion.
 5. A kit for stabilizingbiomolecules comprising: a container containing the aqueous medium ofclaim 1, and; instructions for using said aqueous medium forstabilization.
 6. The kit of claim 5, further comprising: a samplecarrier comprising a container and a sample node, wherein said samplenode is supported by said carrier and comprises the aqueous medium. 7.The kit of claim 5, further comprising a sample carrier comprising aplurality of containers, wherein each of said plurality of containerscomprising the aqueous medium.
 8. The kit of claim 5, further comprisinga sample carrier comprising a plurality of containers wherein theplurality of containers is a multi-well plate.
 9. The kit of claim 5,further comprising instructions for storing biomolecules.
 10. A methodof stabilizing biomolecules in aqueous solution, said method comprising:mixing a sample comprising biomolecules with an aqueous medium in liquidstate comprising boric acid or a corresponding salt of boric acid, aplasticizer and a hydroxyl radical scavenger wherein histidine is theplasticizer and the hydroxyl radical scavenger, and a microcidalcompound.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein said sample is carried bya solid support.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein said sample is asolid tissue sample.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein said sample isselected from the group consisting of DNA, RNA, nucleic acids,polynucleotides, oligonucleotides, amino acids, peptides, andpolypeptides.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein said mixture ismaintained at about 4° C. to about 37° C.